How to develop Sri Lanka’s wood-based industry

Daily Mirror - 24/11/2014

A conference and workshop under the theme “Wood Based Industry – Way Forward’ organized by the Wood Based Industrialist Association of Sri Lanka (WBIA), will be held at the Export Development Board (EDB) Auditoriumon on November 28.

Channa Wijesekera, President of the Wood Based Industrialist Association of Sri Lanka, is expected to outline the problems facing the wood based industry in this article. He explains why this important industry has not developed over the years and proposes a series of solutions to remedy the situation.
When analyzing the development of t he various industries in Sri Lanka, the timber and ti mber related industry indicates a comparative downward trend or slow progress in comparison with the other industries.

Russia shows green light on fish import from SL

Daily Mirror - 26/11/2014

Russia has granted approval to import fish and fish products to the Russian Federation from Sri Lanka, 2014, the External Affairs Ministry said.

The Ministry said the Federal Service of Veterinary Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation granted approval to import fish and fish products to the Russian Federation as a result of the untiring efforts of the Sri Lankan Government through its Embassy in Russia.

Taiwan textile fair opens in Colombo

Daily FT - 25/11/2014

The Taiwan textile industry is the acknowledged world leader in research, development and manufacturing of fabric and garment accessories. The highly successful Taiwan Textile Fairs brings together leading suppliers of textiles and related products from Taiwan, one of the world’s largest apparel textiles exporting countries to Sri Lanka, at the Taiwan Textiles Fairs in South Asia 2014.

The fairs will showcase innovative and high performance functional textiles for apparel, bags, shoes, rainwear, etc. to Sri Lankan manufacturers. The fair will be held on 24 and 25 November at the Grand Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Samudra Hotel.

EDB hits China gold with first mainland MoU

Daily FT - 25/11/2014

• Deeper commitments with new FTA: Vice President Hua
• Fresh ties: EDB’s Egodage
• Exports to China grew in last 5 years: EDB’s Dr. Maraikkar
• Bilateral trade at $ 3 b

Sri Lankan exports broke fresh ground on 20 November, as a pioneering MoU between the country’s apex exports facilitator EDB and China was entered into in Colombo. With the commencement of FTA talks, bilateral relations have also further deepened.

“During President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Sri Lanka this September, he and President Mahinda Rajapaksa reached consensus to deepen the strategic partnership and joint construction of 21 Century Maritime Silk Road. Now the countries have officially started the bilateral FTA negotiations and we believe that the bilateral cooperation would be further deepened in future,” said Zhang Hua, Vice President of CCPIT Guangdong Sub Committee.

EDB secures links with world’s largest textile retailer ZARA

Daily News - 26/11/2014

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s apparel history, the Export Development Board has directly linked top Lankan apparel suppliers with the world’s largest textile retailer, Spain’s ZARA and is stepping up its support for apparel market diversification.

“Though the Lankan apparel sector caters to many international brands, we have still not been able to manufacture to Zara brand, the world largest fashion retailer.

This successful effort directly linked our apparels to Zara for the first time,” said Chitranjali Dissanayake (Director-Industrial Products of SLEDB).

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.