Surging EU e-economy comes forward to support Lanka GSP redux

Daily FT - 14/03/2015

• Baltic hub & gateway to renew trade, investments
• ‘10 firm strong tourism delegation in April’: Estonian Ambassador Lubi
• ‘Loss of GSP Plus affected our apparel revenues’: Rishad
• ‘Want to invest in tourism, logistics and ICT: Ambassador Lubi
• Also pioneering e-economy

Closely on the heels of last week’s revelation on support for Lanka’s trade issues by Brussel’s powerful EU Trade committee follows the latest open support offer on Lanka’s GSP Plus redux by a steadily growing high-tech EU economy, as revealed on 11 March.

“We closely follow Sri Lankan trade issues with EU as well as all related reports on it. Recovery of GSP Plus can help Sri Lanka greatly! Let us give the new Government a chance and see,” voiced a keen Viljar Lubi (the New Delhi based Ambassador of Estonia to Sri Lanka).

Top European trade delegation in Sri Lanka to initiate US$ 8 million project

A top European trade delegation has arrived in Sri Lanka to formulate a trade-related capacity building project, which will enhance the overall performance of the export sector of Sri Lanka.

The proposed US$ 8 million project, which is scheduled to implement from 2016, will be funded by the European Union, the Minister of Commerce and Industries Rishad Bathiudeen said.

"This latest initiative matches very well with our new government's vision and a great start! Therefore on behalf of the President Maithripala Sirisena, I extend our thanks to the EC (European Commission) for interacting very quickly with us in this event as well as all our trade initiatives and issues," the Minister said addressing the delegation.

EDB unveils srilanka servicexport.com Service-exporters urged to join, reap benefits

The Island - 22/02/2015

Saman Maldeni, Director, Export Services of SLEDB showcases EDB's new web portal to service

As Sri Lanka's top service exports -ICT- started moving towards crucial US dollar one billion mark this year, the country's apex exports body EDB announced a major initiative on 17 February to further diversify exports beyond merchandises and to move for service exports.

"srilankaservicexport.com is the first, specialised web portal for all our service exporters and a one stop for them to link with international partners. This portal is absolutely free for exporters" said Saman Maldeni (Director, Export Services of SLEDB) on 17 February in Colombo.