Lanka exports jump in October

Asian Tribune - 24/11/2013

Top officials join Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) to review exports at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Sri Lanka is hopeful as exports continue to surge with latest volumes showing a promising uptrend. “The export trend in September is continuing. The 3% exports increase in October is higher than expected” said a pleased Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on 22 November.

Minister Bathiudeen was acknowledging the latest export numbers for October 2013 indicated to him by his top officials on 22 November at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

$ 01 B int’l biz partnerships from Reflection

Asian Tribune - 22/11/2013

Sujatha Weerakoon (DG-EDB-second from left) and Bandula Egodage (Chairman-EDB) join Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce-far left) and Basil Rajapaksa (Minister of Economic Development-second from right) on 16 November at Reflection of Sri Lanka, Battaramulla.

The biggest Lankan trade, tourism and investment exposition in history successfully concluded on Sunday 17 November at Battaramulla, with $ 01 Bn in international business partnerships. “The event appears to be a sell-out. There were more than 242000 visitors that included an unprecedented number of international buyers representing 66 countries -which led to 1428 serious buyer visits, 101 promising B2B meetings” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on 20 November in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was speaking with his top officials including Anura Siriwardena, (Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce), on 20 November acknowledging the final review of the progress of Reflection of Sri Lanka -the integrated tourism, trade, investment and SME exposition -inaugurated on 13 November in Battaramulla. Reflection of Sri Lanka was inaugurated by (HE) the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 13 November evening in the presence of a large number of Lankan and international dignitaries as well as media.

Taiwan Textile Fair begins on November 26

Daily News - 20/11/2013

The top textile companies from Taiwan will be showcasing their cutting edge, unique and high performance textile products at Taiwan Textile Fairs in South Asia 2013 at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, Sri Lanka on November 26 and 27, 2013.

Taiwan is one of the largest textile exporters in the world and the Taiwan textile industry is internationally renowned for its manufacturing excellence. Their superior quality yarn, innovative fabrics and textile products are now coming to Sri Lanka and will present their range of state-of-the-art textile products to Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers at the Taiwan Textile Fairs in South Asia 2013.

Spice, allied products turnover to reach US$ 500 mn by 2015

Daily News - 19/11/2013
By Indunil Hewage 

The demand for value added cinnamon products such as cinnamon leaf oil, bark oil, crushed cinnamon and ground cinnamon for confectionery and other food related industries has increased in the world. Sri Lanka is planning to double cinnamon export earnings by increasing value addition of cinnamon.

Sri Lanka is the largest supplier of cinnamon exports to the world spice market, producing about 85% of international output. However, Sri Lanka ranks well below in value added cinnamon exports to the world market. Other competitor countries make huge profits by adding value to cinnamon exported from Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka is losing profit due to exporting more raw cinnamon.

Ministry of Economic Development of the Democratic : Reflection of Sri Lanka International exhibition from November 13 to 17

4-traders.com
By Dharman Wickremaratne

The exposition on Trade, Tourism and Investment titled 'Reflection of Sri Lanka' is set to take place in parallel with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in November 13 to 17, 2013 at the Battaramulla Ape Gama premises(Jana Kala Kendraya). This event would be the biggest of its kind, happening in Sri Lanka, with the registered participation of 520 exporters under one roof, accommodating 968 stalls.

Reflection of Sri Lanka International Exhibition on Trade, Tourism and Investment organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Industry and Commerce together with Export Development Board(EDB), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Board of Investment(BOI).

Anuga Exhibition from 5th to 9th October 2013 in Cologne, Germany

Asian Tribune - 10/11/2013

Anuga Exhibition from 5th to 9th October 2013 in Cologne, Germany

The Anuga Exhibition is the most important platform for the food business held in Cologne. This year, 6777 exhibition stands catered to the public, and more than 150 000 trade visitors from 187 countries were present to check out the actual trends in the food business.

The Minister of Industries and Commerce of Sri Lanka, Rishad Bathiudean, accompanied by Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Germany, Mr. Sarath Kongahage, and the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Frankfurt, Mr. Pradip Jayawardana, opened the Sri Lanka representation with 41 Sri Lankan companies exhibiting high quality Sri Lankan products such as tea and other export products.

Lanka’s export revenue to reach US$ 11 billion mark

Daily News - 08/11/2013
By Indunil Hewage

Sri Lanka’s total export revenue is expected to reach US$ 11 billion mark by the end of this year, Export Development Board Chairman and CEO Bandula Egodage said

-“This is not an easy task, but we hope to reach the $ 11 billion export revenue mark by end of this year. As of September our total export value for 2013 is recorded at US$ 7314 million, which is a 1.07% increase in comparison to the same period in 2012. Our exports are now gradually strengthening despite the international market challenges. We have also set an export target of US$ 15 billion by 2015 and $ 20 billion by 2020. Apparel and tea exports currently account for over 40% and 20% of total exports from Sri Lanka respectively.

SL-B’desh mull formulating PTA

Daily Mirror - 05/11/2013

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will begin formulating a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries subsequent to the completion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), with a view to developing into a free-trade agreement (FTA) in future, according to Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mohammad S. Rahman.

“The current quantum of bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is still relatively low at approximately US $ 9 million.

However, there is a lot of potential to improve this figure. We hope to establish a PTA once the CHOGM is completed, which can eventually be developed into a fullyfledged FTA in future,” he stated.

Reflection of Sri Lanka - Export Industry Seminars

Reflection of Sri Lanka Promotional Video

Ornamental live fish exports –National Priority Needed

Asian Tribune - 03/11/2013
By T.K.Premadasa

The notable feature of our exports during the last few years was the decline in exports, an ominous signal to the economy. The reason behind this decrease was the local and foreign market factors such as high cost of production, lack of strategic strength, non-preference by Western countries and economic crises in the occidental world.

Major products manufactured in Sri Lanka which took take the precedent role in its contribution to the export trade also shown decline trend. Under this situation, the export of fresh and marine water ornamental fish have significantly maintained export strength except 2012 and now showing nearly 20 % increase of its export in 2013 up to August compare to the previous year.

Sri Lanka identifies key investment projects for Commonwealth Business Forum participants

The Colombo Page - 03/11/2013

Sri Lanka has identified several key areas for investment opportunities to offer to the attendants of the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 15th to 17th November, 2013.

The Commonwealth Business Forum will be held from 12th to 14th November at the Hotel Cinnamon Grand in Colombo.

The Forum, organized by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) in collaboration with the Sri Lankan government, is seen as a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to enlighten the world about the investment potentials in the island.

Sri Lanka-China FTA not a blindsided rush- Minister Bathiudeen

nation.lk - 03/11/2013

Rishad Bathiudeen and CNCI delegation at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on October 31. Gamini Gunasekara (new Chairman, CNCI) is seated second from left next to Minister Bathiudeen

Forthcoming FTA with China is not a blindsided move but is a process involving studies and even relevant stakeholder consultations. “We are still at initial study phase and we will not finalize product lists without consulting Lankan stakeholders such as various chambers and industries,” assured Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen to the oldest Industry Chamber in the country on October 31 in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing a delegation led by new Chairman, CNCI Gamini Gunasekara on October 31 at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Also taking part were Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Anura Siriwardena and additional secretaries, officials of Department of Commerce and CNCI officials.