EDB in global apparel breakthrough

Daily FT - 26/11/2014

• Secures links with world’s largest textile retailer ZARA
• 6-member EDB-led delegation to Spain 
• Brandix, Timex, Fergasam in pioneering session 
• September apparel exports up by 4.4%

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s apparel history, the EDB, Sri Lanka’s apex export facilitator, has directly linked top Lankan apparel suppliers with the world’s largest textile retailer, Spain’s ZARA on 29 October.
The facilitator, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), is stepping up its support for apparel market diversification.

“Though the Lankan apparel sector caters to many international brands, such as Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and Marks & Spencer, we still haven’t been able to manufacture for the Zara brand, the world’s largest fashion retailer. This successful effort directly linked our apparels to Zara for the first time,” said EDB Director – Industrial Products Chitranjali Dissanayake recently.

Kenya-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Cooperation talks a success

Daily FT - 18/11/2014

Kenya, the newest entrant to Africa’s top 10 list, called for renewed trade with Sri Lanka and in a display of its commitment towards this end requested three trade pacts with Sri Lanka in one go by 2015.

“We are looking forward to more trade interaction and expecting a delegation to Nairobi from Sri Lanka next year. By the time of your visit to Nairobi we are looking forward to conclude current discussions on three agreements being discussed and to sign them,” said Amb. Nelson Ndirangu Ogn (Director, Economic Affairs and International Trade of Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi) on 12 November in Colombo.

Canada for more trade with SL

Daily FT - 19/11/2014

• Canada has 24 FTAs including NAFTA: Whiting 
• Another opening to largest market: Rishad 
• EDB revives TRO-Canada links
• Top Lankan exporters at Canada session
• Bilateral trade at $ 437 m

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (second from left) in discussion with EDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage yesterday as Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Shelley Whiting (far right) and Canada Asia-Trade Facilitation Office Project Manager Zaki Munshi (far left) look on

As part of its new internationalisation thrust, the second largest economy in North America directly called for a fresh trade round with Sri Lanka yesterday, recording success for Sri Lanka with yet another NAFTA member.

More than 100 Lankan firms of all sizes packed EDB’s pioneering ‘Exporting to Canada’ session in Colombo.

Jaffna Int’l Trade Fair during Jan 23-25, 2015

Daily News - 19/11/2014

The Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), the most comprehensive and ‘looked forward to’ exhibition in the North will be held for the sixth consecutive year in the heart of Jaffna from the January 23-25, 2015.

The exhibition which was the first of its kind to be held in the Northern region of the country has throughout the years been renowned as the best and most potent platform for the meeting of investors, businesses and the masses in the region.

Sri Lanka's export trade sector grows 11.1%

Ceylon Today - 16/11/2014

Sri Lanka's Export Trade sector recorded a relatively a higher growth of 11.1 per cent in second quarter 2014, when compared to the slower growth of 1.2 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2013, Department of Census and Statistics said in its Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product report released recently.

According to the Balance of Payment statistics of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, export earnings increased to Rs343,058 million in the second quarter of 2014, from Rs291,274 million in the second quarter 2013, indicating a growth of 17.8 per cent, said the Census and Statistics Department.

Bangladesh announces speedier trade pact in the offing

Daily FT - 13/11/2014

• Good news, prefer an FTA: Rishad
• Talks will conclude successfully: Ashan
• YoY bilateral trade jumps by 67%

Minister of Industry and Commerce Tarik Ashan (third from left) greets Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tarik Ashan (second from left) yesterday in Colombo as Bangladeshi High Commission Colombo Counsellor and HOC F.M. Borhan Uddin (far left), Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardene(third from right), DoC DG R.D.S. Kumararatne (second from right) and EDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage (far right) look on

As bilateral trade with Bangladesh showed a strong rise, the country has signalled that it has now started moving towards the historic trade pact with Sri Lanka, as revealed yesterday in Colombo, and Bangladesh wants the agreement to be signed fast.

“At my final meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina just before my departure to Colombo, she advised me to focus strongly on trade during my new tenure in Sri Lanka. I am pleased to inform you that the trade agreement under discussion between both countries at present will come to a successful end,” announced the newly-appointed Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tarik Ashan yesterday.

Ornamental fish featuring notably in 14 percent export growth

The Island - 10/11/2014
By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka has earned USD 7.34 billion from exports up to August this year, recording a positive growth of 14 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2013, said Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman cum Chief Executive Officer Bandula Egodage.

Addressing a gathering at the First International Ornamental Fish Trade Conference in Colombo yesterday he said despite many constraints and challenges faced by local exports domestically and internationally, the willingness shown by them to sustain continuous growth was commendable.