Ceylon Chamber, EDB to lead business mission to Indonesia in October

Daily FT - 23/09/2014

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka is making arrangements to lead a business delegation to Indonesia, to explore trade, investment and tourism opportunities in that country.

The Joint Business Promotion Mission to Indonesia will take place from 7 to 11 October, which coincides with the Sri Lanka – Indonesia Joint Economic Commission meeting to be held in Jakarta.

EDB calls for full Lankan exporter registration

Asian Tribune - 19/09/2014

Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB-far left) addresses the “How to Export Quality Fruit & Vegetable to the EU Region” session held at EDB on 16 September as Ms Champika Hewage (OIC, Plant Quarantine Station, Sea Port, Colombo-second from left, seated), Dr Yousuf Maraikkar (ED-EDB-third from left) and Ruwanthi Ariyaratne (Asst. Director-Department of Commerce) look on.

Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB) addresses "How to Export Quality Fruit and Vegetable to the EU Region" session held at the EDB auditorium recently.

Sri Lanka's apex export entity has issued a clarion call to the country's exporter community to register with it and enlist in its surging database on 16 September. "Some non-registered exporters, unaware of procedures have brought a bad reputation for Sri Lanka. It is time all Lankan exporters register with EDB" voiced a keen Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB) on 16 September in Colombo.

Sri Lanka starts work on global consumer compliance

Asian Tribune - 21/09/2014

From left: Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB), Antony Taubman (Director of the WTO’s Intellectual Property Rights Division), Anura Siriwardene (Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce), Gretchen Stanton (Senior Counsellor, World Trade Organization) and RDS Kumararatne (DG-DoC) at the 18 September WTO session in Colombo.

Sri Lanka has begun compliance work on the global consumer end of its exports basket on 18 September. And no less than two top experts from Geneva’s WTO are in town to facilitate the pioneering effort.

“Today, more countries around the world continue to reduce their border tariffs, either unilaterally or through an increasing number of free trade agreements, called as RTAs-Regional Trade Agreements. Non-tariff barriers such as SPS and TBT measures have begun to create a significant impact on international trade. Unfortunately, most of these measures appear to be highly complex and increasingly challenging” said Anura Siriwardene (Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce) on 18 September in Colombo.

Footwear Exports Double

The Sunday Leader - 21/09/2014

Sri Lankan manufactured Footwear exports have doubled during the year 2013, compared 2012, a new study conducted by the Ceylon Chamber has revealed.

According to the study titled ‘Footwear Exports and Imports of Sri Lanka – Statistical Analysis’, which covers the periods of 2006 to 2013, Australia and Italy ranks as the main export markets for Sri Lankan footwear.

Sri Lanka looks to dress more Brazilians

Daily FT - 22/09/2014

First ever top Lankan apparel industry delegation kicks off promotion in giant South American market
By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is looking to dress more Brazilians as the first ever industry delegation kicks off a promotional tour today to tap potential in the giant South American market.

In an effort to expand the buyer base for Lankan apparels, the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) together with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil has organised the six day promotional program from 22 to 27 September.

The need for exporters to register with the EDB stressed

Ceylon Today - 17-09-2014

Sri Lanka's apex export entity – EDB, yesterday claimed that some non-registered exporters with no knowledge of procedures have brought a bad reputation for Sri Lanka.

EDB pointed out that, the European Commission Director General of Health and Consumers had recently informed the National Plant Quarantine Services of Sri Lanka that some consignments of fresh fruits and vegetables (only) exported to EU and Switzerland were contaminated with pests, and that of 350 fresh fruits and vegetables (only) consignments that entered the EU from 2011 to date, 292 were contaminated with pests.

EDB starts first ever medical tourism push

Daily News - 15-09-2014

“Professional service exports present a tremendous opportunity and can speed up government’s ‘$20B exports by 2020’ goal. Medical Tourism is one of the most promising sub-sectors in this. We are ready to work with any and all stakeholders to get this off the ground” said Director General, EDB, Sujatha Weerakoone addressing the kick-off session of EDB’s 2015-20 National Masterplan Initiative on Medical Tourism held at EDB last week.

The pioneering session saw top reps from Hemas Hospitals, Asiri Group of Hospitals, Lanka Hospitals, Durdans Hospital, Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, the Health Ministry as well as M.K.S.K Maldeniya (ICT Sector Director-EDB) joining the session. The private sector reps also represent Sri Lanka’s Private

Hospital Association (PHA).