Exports in Sri Lanka

Lanka, Eu trade on the rise

Daily News - 24/06/2013

Minister Bathiudeen with Ambassador Bernard Savage

As bilateral trade volume closes in on the crucial $ 5Bn mark, historic dialogue between Sri Lanka and the European Union appears to bolster even further. “We look for better trade levels and also thank EU for its on-going support,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing Ambassador Bernard Savage (Head of the Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from the European Commission) on 20 June during Amb. Savage’s farewell courtesy call on Minister Bathiudeen at the EDB premises, Colombo.

China to open doors to Lanka’s apparel sector

The Sunday Times - 23/06/2013

By Bandula Sirimanna

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is to get a big boost as the world’s largest textile producer, China is exploring possibilities of opening its huge domestic market to the island’s garment exports, an industry heavyweight said.

Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) M.P. Tuly Cooray told the Business Times that their umbrella body is to enter into an agreement with the China National Garment Association to allow access for Sri Lankan apparel industrialists to penetrate the Chinese domestic market and also set up joint ventures to produce internationally branded products for overseas markets.

A high-powered, 20-member delegation from the Chinese association visited Sri Lanka recently and held preliminary discussions towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enabling Chinese apparel makers and top global retailers to shift their orders to Sri Lanka due to the rising labour cost in that country, he revealed. He noted that they aim to get duty free access for apparel from

Processed food exports top $ 73 m

Sunday Observer - 23/06/2013

“In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 million.

Our overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 million in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 million in 2011,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen at the launch of the first International Food Safety and Compliance training sessions for Sri Lanka’s food exporters by Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition of the Washington State University, Food Scientist, Dr. Barbara Rasco, were held at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The pioneering session was organised by the Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with the Spice Council and VEGA-FEG. The sessions were held from June 11 to June 21.

Rishad, top Washington scientist start Lanka’s first Food Compliance

news.lk - 19/06/2013

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s exports history, on June 11, a renowned global food scientist began to extensively train Lankan food exporters on the much needed international regulatory compliance rules.

Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka said that processed food has grown to become a key component of Sri Lanka’s overall annual food exports. In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 Mn. Sri Lanka's overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 Mn in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 Mn in 2011 added the Minister.

The Paperworld International Trade Fair is a specialized fair for office supplies, school supplies, stationery and paper products held annually. It is an important venue for developing new contacts and maintaining existing business relationships for Sri Lankan exporters in the printing and stationery industry. It is well recognized by buyers to source gifts and premium products including Office and School Supplies and Christmas Decorations.

Paperworld 2013, held in January 2013 at Frankfurt, Germany which provided a great opportunity for exhibitors and trade visitors to study and analyze the position of the competitors and global market trends in products and prices. It also provided an insight into innovative and eco friendly products made of environmental friendly materials.

‘More Americans looking for Lankan spiced food’ – Dr Rasco

Daily News - 19/06/2013

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s exports history, a renowned global food scientist began on June 11 to extensively train Lankan food exporters on the much needed international regulatory compliance rules. And processed food has grown to become a key component of Sri Lanka’s overall annual food exports.

“In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 mn. Our overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 mn in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 mn in 2011,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on June 11 in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch event of fist International Food Safety and Compliance Training session by globally renowned Food Scientist Dr. Barbara Rasco, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition of the Washington State University.