Negotiations on bilateral cooperation of Belarus and Sri Lanka held at business forum

The delegation of Sri Lanka is interested in export of certain Belarusian goods such as sugar, tires and oil products. The heads of the states agreed on setting up joint ventures.
Joel Selvanayagam, the chair of the group of companies (Sri Lanka): "We have enormous potential and technologies. By uniting them we can advance our economies".

Bilateral cooperation of Belarus and Sri Lanka discussed during governmental meeting

The President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich confirmed the mutual interest in such aspects as mechanical engineering, high technology, education, construction and tourism.

And right after the meeting in the Government House, the officials joined the business circles of the two countries. Multiple agreements, among which is the cooperation agreement between the National Center for Marketing and Price Conjuncture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka, were signed within the framework of the business forum.

Facets 2013, Sri Lanka’s Premier International Gem & Jewelry Show begins on August 29, 2013

International Gem and Jewelry News

In accordance with the popular slogan “Come September Come Facets” the 23rd version of Sri Lanka’s premier International Gem & Jewelry Show, Facets 2013, eagerly awaited by all stakeholders in the international gem and jewelry trade and industry, is due to be held from August 29th to September 1st, 2013, at the usual venue, the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition and Convention Centre, part of the complex of buildings associated with the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), situated along Bullers Road, Colombo. The show is organized by the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewelry Association (SLGJA) and co-sponsored by the National Gem & Jewelry Authority (NGJA) of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB).

The show will be held in the two large octagonal-shaped convention halls of the exhibition center, the main hall being reserved for the display of precious and semi-precious gems and the second hall allocated to jewelry, lapidary and other machinery used in the gem and jewelry industry. Around 200 exhibitors both local and foreign are due to be accomodated in both halls. The ceremonial opening of the show will be held at 9.00 a.m. on August 29, 2013 and the show will be open to visitors from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on August 29, and on the remaining three days August 30 to September 1, from 10.00 am to 6.00 p.m 

Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula seeks more trade and investment

Lanka Business Online - 18/08/2013
By Anushika Kamburugamuwa

Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna peninsula, which has emerged from a 30-year civil war, has untapped potential for greater investment and trade officials said.

"We welcome all the new businesses and investments," K Pooranachandran, president of the Jaffna chamber of commerce and industry said.
"We are here to help them. The place is very conducive for businesses and new developments."

The Jaffna peninsula, which has a population of about 600,000 population, is now looking up businesses in the area linking with other areas in the island.

"Trade links have developed strongly," Pooranachandran said. "There is a very good link with Colombo and Jaffna.

FACETS expects record SMEs

FACETS 2013 to attract larger crowds this year

Over 50 Small and Medium Eenterprises (SMESs) will take part in FACETS Sri Lanka 2013, the international gem and jewelry exhibition, according to the organizing committee. Organized by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelery Association (SLGJA), this year’s event held for its 23rd year, will be held from August 29 to September 1 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center.

FACETS 2013 not only provides ample opportunity for local businesses to showcase their capabilities to participating delegation from around the world, but also creates strong networking, knowledge sharing and skill enhancing opportunities for the SME sector enterprises. Local manufacturers will be able to acquire knowledge on technology, process, best practices and the importance of maintaining industry quality standards right throughout the event.

Fruit and vegetable exports record 21% growth

Sunday Observer - 18/08/2013
By Lalin Fernandopulle

Fresh fruit and vegetable exports recorded a 21.8% growth in the first six months of this year, said International Foodstuff Group of Companies, Chairman and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Export Development Board, Sarath de Silva.

He said that the fresh fruit and vegetable sector recorded this growth despite a slump in exports of other commodities. Export revenue has been declining since last year with a revenue drop of 6.8 percent in April this year according to the Central Bank. Export decline has been attributed to the low global demand for commodities.

New regulations likely to boost Sri Lankan apparel exports

Fibre2fashion.com - 08/08/2013

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is likely to benefit from the new regulations issued by the Finance Ministry of the country.

The regulations cited as the Finance Act - Commercial Hub Regulation (CHR) No. 1 of 2013, will be applicable on all new established enterprises in the country.

Under the regulation, any new enterprise which is established or incorporated in Sri Lanka, where at least 65 percent of its total investment has been from foreign sources, shall be exempted from the application of Provisions of the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), the Exchange Control Act (Chapter 423), the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, and acts referred to in schedule of the Principle Act as amended by the Finance Act, No.12 of 2013.