Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Due to the difficulties of organizing physical export promotion programmes during this pandemic situation, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan Missions overseas has initiated online sessions to enable foreign buyers and Sri Lankan exporters meet via virtual platforms with the objective of creating trade linkages between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, as it is imperative to sustain the nation’s export promotional activities in spite of severe challenges caused by COVID-19.
E-commerce Readiness Assessment Report Sri Lanka was launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). The report is the result of a request by the EDB in 2018 for technical assistance from COMSEC to conduct an e-readiness assessment for Sri Lanka and undertake capacity-building programmes on e-commerce for SMEs and women entrepreneurs. The project was funded by COMSEC through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC). The publication comes at a time when businesses in Sri Lanka were compelled to exploit e-commerce mechanisms in the wake of lockdowns and travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
‘Drifting the curve’ is the SLASSCOM industry strategy for building momentum to come out of the ‘corner’ (current situation) stronger. When race car drivers approach a bend on the track, unlike ordinary drivers who slow down, they accelerate. This is known as ‘drifting the curve’. It’s all about how much momentum you have when you come out of the corner.
Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Prabhash Subasinghe yesterday urged that boosting exports must be everyone’s priority, as the key agency set an ambitious yet achievable target of $ 18.5 billion this year, up by 15% from 2019. EDB revealed that as per provisional data, last year Sri Lanka’s total merchandise and service exports amounted to $ 16.14 billion up by 1.44% from 2018. The composition was merchandise exports were $ 11.9 billion, up 0.13% and service exports were $ 4.2 billion, up by 5.3% from 2018. EDB originally targeted $ 18.5 billion exports for 2019, and the estimated performance reflects achievement of 87% of the goal.
Vega Innovations, a subsidiary of CodeGen International (Pvt) Ltd., creates history once again as the Vega EVX, Sri Lanka’s and South Asia’s first fully Electric Supercar is shipped out to Switzerland, to be unveiled at the 90th Geneva International Motor Show, 5-15 March 2020. The vehicle was shipped from the Colombo harbour on Sunday the 19th of January 2020 and will reach its destination in late February.
2019-10-29/ http://www.ft.lk/front-page/We-wouldn-t-be-globally-successful-without-Sri-Lanka-IFS/44-688568
Global enterprise applications company IFS with over $ 700 million in revenue said recently it wouldn’t have been successful without Sri Lanka where it relies heavily for development, product and customer support and innovation.
2019-10-23/ http://www.ft.lk/business/EDB-organises-Sri-Lanka-pavilion-at-GITEX-Technology-Week/34-688158
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organised a Sri Lanka country pavilion at the GITEX Technology Week, held from 6-10 October.
Sri Lanka yesterday launched the official website announcing the country’s participation in the six-month long Expo 2020 Dubai, anticipating a major boost to exports, tourism and investments while looking to enhance the country’s brand value and image globally.
Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive of EDB and the Commissioner General of Sri Lanka for Expo 2020 Dubai together with the private sector stakeholders; Secretary Generals of the National Chamber of Exporters and National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Shiham Marikkar and Bandula Dissanayake and the Co- Chair Planning Sub Committee of Expo 2020 Dubai, Fazal Mushin met Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Al Mualla, the ambassador for UAE in Sri Lanka this week at the embassy premises to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s commitment in participation at Expo 2020 Dubai and to review the progress made so far.
Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara - two of the most iconic cricketers produced by the country has come on board as Sri Lanka’s Brand Ambassadors for Expo 2020 Dubai organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) as a public private cooperation project .
2019-10-12/ http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Poland-and-Sri-Lanka-strengthen-bilateral-trade-relationship/44-687495
In a bid to strengthen the bilateral trade relationship between Poland and Sri Lanka, LOT Polish Airlines will accompany a trade delegation to Colombo from Warsaw.
2019-10-01/ http://www.ft.lk/business/BoardPAC-successfully-establishes-footprint-in-Africa/34-686765
As the most awarded board automation solution with a leading market share in Asia, BoardPAC, in its mission to be ranked number one globally, has firmly established its name in the African region.
The 23rd Presidential Export Award Ceremony (PEA) organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) was successfully held on 19th September 2019 under the patronage of His Excellency the President of Sri Lnaka at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo with the participation of the large number of exporters. The award winners were presented a prestigious PEA Trophy and a Certificate & they have the privilege to use the “Award Logo” as a marketing tool for a 3 year period.
The 23rd Presidential Export Award Ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) will be held on Thursday 19th September 2019 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Stakeholders from several government agencies and private sector representatives gathered for a two-day workshop to finalize the research report; “e-commerce readiness of Sri Lanka” which has been developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC), UK along with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). The workshops were held on 10th and 11th September 2019 at EDB and it was carried out by Ms. Opeyemi Abebe, Trade advisor, COMSEC,UK and Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Senior Consultant, Grail consulting services, India.
2019-09-05/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/Disrupt-Asia-2019-returns-with-new-focus-on-augmented-living/50-685186
Themed ‘Augmented Living,’ the Disrupt Asia 2019 conference organised by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), is to be held on 12 October, creating a platform for startups to exhibit their innovations on a global scale.
2019-09-03/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/FITIS-to-host-API-Asia-Conference-2019-in-October/50-685038
Colombo will host the API Asia Conference 2019 for the first time in October, in an effort to help transform the ICT industry, and also fast track efforts in ensuring a digitally savvy Sri Lanka. The conference will be held on 2 October at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo and is organised by the apex body of the ICT industry, Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS).
Sri Lanka’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is set in a spectacular manner to ensure the strengthening of the country’s trade, tourism, and investments. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board plays a critical role, together with private and state organisations, to landmark Sri Lanka’s presence at this global event.
