Japanese smiling on Lanka Ayurveda

Asian Tribune - 19/05/2014

Basil Rajapaksa (Economic Development Minister of Sri Lanka-second from right) and Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce-fourth from left) attempt tasting fruit based confections from the Vietnamese exhibitor Alpha International Food JSC at the inaugural event of AROGYA 2014 and INTRAD 2014 at BMICH, Colombo on 16 May.

Sri Lanka’s Ayurveda healthcare is garnering the attention of high end tourist market. “Lately, the Japanese travel sector has shown stronger interest in Sri Lanka’s Ayurveda tourism. Last week a Japanese Member of Parliament touring Sri Lanka also has expressed of Japan’s interest in Sri Lanka’s Ayurvedic care for Japanese medical tourists” revealed an upbeat Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) on 16 May.

SL to place its export products on top e-commerce portal

The Island - 11/05/2014

Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB-far left) addresses the Rakuten platform intro event at EDB on 02 May as Japan's Kanagawa based Takashi Yoshino (Principal, Y and F Associates LLC-seated next, second from left) and Lankan exporters (seated next) look on.

As Lanka's exports to Japan topped $ 223 Mn mark, Sri Lanka is mulling a strategic, fast-track entry to one of the most coveted online markets in the world-Japan. "Japan is the second biggest retail market in the world. Japanese are also heavy internet users with a large e-commerce base. Using a top Japanese online giant like Rakuten could give Lankan exporters a wide-coverage and a low cost entry to this promising market" said Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB) on 02 May at EDB premises.

DG Weerakoone was addressing the EDB organized event "Japan's Rakuten Platform for Sri Lankan Products" held for Lankan exporters on 02 May at EDB. The session consisted of a special in-depth presentation by Japan's Kanagawa based Takashi Yoshino (Principal, Y and F Associates LLC) who, in a his presentation, shoed in-depth of the pros and cons, and how to create an online strategy for Lankan exporters to Japan. Eager representatives from more than 40 Lankan export firms were present at the session.

Apparel exports up by 20% to $ 1,257 m

Daily News - 12/05/2014

Bandula Egodage, Chairman & CEO of EDB having discussion with Rishad Bathiudeen Minister of Industry and Commerce about the latest export trends at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 

Sri Lanka's first quarter exports registered a positive growth of 16%, while monthly exports for March jumped by as much as 27%.

"This is encouraging for our efforts towards $ 20 bn export goal by 2020 as envisioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa," said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on May 9 in Colombo.

Accordingly, this year's first quarter provisional exports totalled $ 2.80 bn while the comparative 2013 first quarter total exports stood at $ 2.36 bn, showing a 15.7% Q-on-Q growth.

Sri Lanka at annual European Seafood exposition in Belgium

news.lk - 11/05/2014

Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium organized the Sri Lanka’s participation at  22nd Annual European Seafood Exposition held in Belgium from May 6-8.  Over 1,690 exhibiting companies  attracted more than 25,800 buyers and suppliers for the event.

This year’s exposition marks the 22nd edition of Seafood Expo Global, and the 16th edition of Seafood Processing Global.  The exposition is considered a unique opportunity for the global seafood industry to come together and make valuable business connections.

Lanka closely monitoring EU's trade policy - Rishad

Asian Tribune - 08/05/2014

David Daly (Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives-left) discusses with Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) at the second EU-Sri Lanka Trade Dialogue session on 07 May in Colombo.

As trade between Sri Lanka and its top global partner EU edged to $ 5 Bn mark, Sri Lanka for the first time revealed its levels of attention to the EU trade dynamics on 07 May. And Europe has commended Sri Lanka's exports value addition efforts as "remarkable."

“Sri Lanka closely monitors the developments in the EU trade policy as it could have significant impact on Sri Lanka’s exports, both directly and indirectly. For example, the recent cross cumulation facility provided for SAARC and ASEAN Regional Groups, would help Sri Lanka to source inputs of ASEAN countries, and be eligible for GSP concessions” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on 07 May.

Sri Lanka: Trade deficit narrows, export earnings rise

The Times of Sri Lanka - 05/05/2014

The external sector further strengthened in February 2014 with the trade deficit continuing to narrow as a result of an increase in earnings from exports and a decline in expenditure on imports.

Inflows on account of workers' remittances and earnings from tourism recorded an increase during the month contributing to the substantial reduction in the current account deficit. These developments together with continued inflows to the financial account resulted in a surplus in the Balance of Payments (BOP) upto February 2014, the Central Bank said yesterday.

Sri Lanka's textile & garment exports grow 6.6% in Feb'14

Fibre2Fashion - 06/05/2014

Sri Lanka’s earnings from exports of textiles and garments grew by 6.6 percent to US$ 396.2 million in February 2014, compared to earnings of $371.6 million recorded in same month last year, according to a press release on ‘External Sector Performance – February 2014’ issued by the Economics Research Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The statement reflected two key trends in Sri Lanka’s textile and garment trade—an increase in apparel exports to non-traditional markets and a higher local value addition in the clothing industry.