Tea exports revenue hit record high in 2013

nation.lk - 17/01/2014

Sri Lanka has achieved the highest ever revenue from tea exports in 2013 realizing a total revenue of Rs. 199.4 billion surpassing the previous best of Rs.180.4 billion in 2012, recent statistics from a leading tea brokerage firm showed. The record revenue was realized despite the island exporting lesser quantity of tea from January – December 2013 where cumulative tea exports totalled 319.6M/kgs, showing a marginal decrease of 0.28M/kgs vis-à-vis 319.9M/kgs of 2012.

Over 200 stalls at Footwear and Leather Fair in Feb.

Lanka Business Today - 11/01/2014

The sixth Footwear and Leather Fair is to be held from February 7 to 9 featuring over 200 stalls.

The event, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Industrial Development Board and the Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers’ Association (SLFLPMA), is expected to provide a platform for Sri Lankan footwear and leather products exporters, manufacturers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their talents and capabilities locally and globally.

Sri Lanka’s textile & garment exports surge 35% in Nov’13

Fibre2fashion - 09/01/2014

The textiles and garment industry turned out to be the leading driver of growth in the industrial sector in November 2013 for Sri Lanka, according to a press release issued by the Economic Research Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Earnings from export of textiles and garments grew by 35 per cent year-on-year to US$ 491.4 million in November 2013, the Bank said in the press release.

“Export of garments to both the EU and USA, the major export destinations of garments, grew by 16.7 per cent and 58.7 per cent, respectively in November 2013, reflecting the recovery in those economies as well as seasonal demand,” the statement said.

Second largest SAARC partner hungry for Lankan exports, FTA trade

Asian Tribune - 09/01/2014

Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) discusses with His Excellency Maj Gen Qasim Qureshi (Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka) on 07 January in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s second largest trade partner in SAARC is hungry for more Lankan exports in the coming year-while also closely looking at Sri Lanka’s sugar sector for entry! ”Pakistan’s new GSP with EU is an opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters and they can do more things. In fact, we should jointly explore whatever is possible within the rules and regulations of these new developments!” stressed an upbeat Major Genenral Qasim Qureshi (Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka) on 07 January in Colombo.

High Commissioner Qureshi was addressing Rishad Bathiudeen Minister of Industry and Commerce on 07 January during his new-year courtesy call on Minister Bathiudeen at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce premises in Colombo 03.

Pakistan's latest GSP with EU, opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters: Qureshi

Daily Mirror - 08/01/2014

Sri Lanka’s second largest trade partner in SAARC is looking for more Lankan exports in the coming year, while also eyeing Sri Lanka’s sugar sector entry,

”Pakistan’s new GSP with EU is an opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters, and they can do more things. In fact, we should jointly explore whatever is possible within the rules and regulations of t hese new developments, said Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General Qasim Qureshi, addressing Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen during his new-year courtesy call on the Minister.

ON A ROLL: GSP FOR TEN YEARS

EU, Lanka annual trade volume exceeds US$ 5 b

Daily News - 04/01/2014
By Chaminda Perera

Sri Lanka will continue to receive the benefit of the European Union (EU) GSP facility for another 10 years beginning from January this year, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen said yesterday.

He said the EU has been Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner next to the United States and the bilateral trade volume exceeds US $ 5 billion a year.

“Total trade between Sri Lanka and EU which was at US $ 3 billion in 2004 rose to US $ 4,946.18 million in 2012. Apparel, diamonds, tea and rubber products became the major export items,” he said.

‘Seven firms now in automotive assembly here’- Minister Rishad

news.lk - 02/01/2014

Export cess on rare earth/mineral sand were introduced to safeguard our industries –and no less than seven firms are now active in automotive assembly industry in Sri Lanka. “To safeguard domestic industries and to ensure a continuous supply of raw materials for local industries, we introduced exports cess on selected items.  And seven companies have ventured into the automobile assembly industry with a local value addition exceeding 30%” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on 10 December.