China seeks minerals, logistics services from Sri Lanka

Lanka Business Online - 28/09/2013

Chinese firms are planning to buy activated carbon and rubber from Sri Lanka following the visit of a trade delegation and others are in talks over minerals and logistics services, the island's trade ministry said.

"We have identified one Lankan partner firm for trading in activated carbon," An Qi Fu, international business manager of CITIC International, a Chinese state firm, was quoted as saying in a statement.
"We will start buying through the Lankan partner firm as soon as possible once the agreements finalised."

The Chinese trade delegation led by Jia Guoyong, the vice director general of the Chinese Trade Development Bureau (TDB), had 23 companies in glass manufacture, mining, minerals, agriculture, polymer, petroleum bi-products, chemicals, and real estate.

Saudi buyers, sellers invited to trade exhibition in Sri Lanka

Arab News - 27/09/2013

The Sri Lankan Embassy has invited buyers and sellers to participate in an exhibition to be held concurrently with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013, scheduled to be held in Colombo from Nov. 13.

Anil Sirimanne, commercial counselor at the Sri Lankan Embassy, told Arab News that the event, which will discuss Sri Lanka’s trade, tourism and investment, will also coincide with the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF), which will also be held in Colombo during the same period.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries and the CHOGM is held every two years to enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth-related issues and to decide on collective policies and initiatives.

Ten Prominent Business groups to represent Sri Lanka at Pakistan EXPO 2013

Asian Tribune - 26/09/2013

High Commissioner of Pakistan Qasim Qureshi with the participants of expo 2013

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj Gen (R) Qasim Qureshi hosted the Sri Lankan businessmen participating in Pakistan EXPO 2013 along with the officials of Export Development Board Sri Lanka, today at the High Commission of Pakistan prior to their departure for Karachi.

Ten companies from Sri Lankan representing various sectors such as tea, herbal cosmetics, commercial paints, bicycles, fruits & vegetables, textiles and pharmaceuticals sectors will attend the largest EXPO of Pakistan, from 26-29 September, 2013.

Sri Lanka to hold exposition on Trade, Tourism & Investment in parallel to CHOGM

Colombo Page - 24/09/2013

 In order to maximize the opportunity presented by the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November, Sri Lanka is holding an exposition on Trade, Tourism & Investment in parallel to the event.

"Reflection of Sri Lanka" will be held at the Folk Art Center (Janakala Kendraya) in Battaramulla, a suburb of capital Colombo, from 13th to 17th November 2013.

The expo is organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka Tourism, and Board of Investment (BOI) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and in association with other government agencies.

Speech of Mr. Bandula Egodage, the Chairman & Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, at the Exporters Association of Sri Lanka - AGM

Mr. Bandula Egodage, the Chairman & Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Export Development Board

I thank the Exporters' Association of Sri Lanka for inviting me to the AGM and giving me the opportunity to address this distinguished gathering of members.

The Exporters Association which represents about 80% of exporters in the country is the foremost body for exporters in Sri Lanka. We highly appreciate the contribution of Association towards the export development effort of the country.

The Government's vision as envisaged in the 'Mahinda Chintana' is to transform Sri Lanka into a strategically important economic centre of the world. This would then lead to socio economic development of the country. The export sector which contributes 17% to the GDP of the country, clearly plays an important role in achieving this objective.

SL’s fruit and vegetable exports tops US$ 32.5 m

Daily News - 20/09/2013
By - Fizel Jabir

Processors and exporters in combination have achieved as at today a 20 % increase in export revenue compared to last year, said Bandula Egodage, Chairman Export Development Board addressing the Lanka Fruit and vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association's 32nd AGM on Wednesday.

He said the industry has earned US$ 32.5 million export earnings in 2012 which was very significant because members of the association were engaged in agriculture. He said the members of the association were playing a vital role in terms of rural development in Sri Lanka and was engaged in a huge CSR campaign which was more vital than figures. He said value addition was vital to overcome rising input costs.

Partnering Lanka shines bright at Turkey’s Izmir, snaps-up immediate orders

Asian Tribune - 18/09/2013

Sri Lanka, honoured as the first ever Asian Partner country at the Izmir Int’l Fair series in Turkey, has successfully clinched several trade and business deals at this global event, while also pushing its historic trade ties with the easternmost NATO power to new levels.

“We consider Turkey as one of the most important Trade Partners with high potentials for trade growth, and the present bilateral trade at $ 190 Mn is a credible starting point towards bigger trade, which in turn, has shown an increasing trend over last five years” said Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) addressing the huge audience at the inaugural session of 2013 Izmir International Fair (the 82nd international multi-product exhibition series) on 29 August in Izmir, Turkey.