China’s Fujian business delegation in town

Daily Nation - 07/03/2014

Bandula Egodage, Chairman/CEO, EDB-right, meets Song Kening, Director-General of Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs-seated next to Mr Egodage

Visiting business delegation from China’s emerging high growth province Fujian has shown interest in more Lankan exports into its demanding marketplace and has pushed for direct links with Lankan businesses.

“Sri Lanka has been rebuilt as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. And I agree with you that both sides can mutually benefit in many sectors of cooperation, including trade. In fact, we want Sri Lanka – Fujian trade to grow in Sri Lanka’s favour” said Director-General of Fujian Provincial Foreign affairs Kening addressing the Sri Lankan business team led by Bandula Egodage, Chairman/CEO, EDB along with Dr Yousuf Maraikkar ,ED, EDB, Sujatha Weerakoone DG, EDB and EDB sectoral representatives.

Sri Lanka German trade tops US$ 852 mn

Daily News - 10/03/2014

A visitor making enquiries at the Sri Lankan ITB stand 

Sri Lanka German trade has hit record heights last year with the total trade turnover exceeding US$ 852 million.

G. L. Gnanatheva, First Secretary (Commercial) Sri Lankan Embassy in Germany said that total trade turnover was in the excess of US $ 771million. In 2012 Sri Lanka exported goods to Germany to the tune of US$ 452 million while German exports to Sri Lanka stood at US$ 319

Cinnamon exports rise by 6.4% to $ 129.5 mn

Daily News - 03/03/2014

Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO, EDB-at centre) with Dr Yousuf Maraikkar (ED, EDB-left) and Sujatha Weerakoone (DG, EDB-right)

Ceylon Cinnamon, which is Sri Lanka’s second global brand, has secured its trademark in two more leading markets-with one more country application in the registration process. ”I commend the EDB’s Agro division for their efforts on this initiative” said Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO, EDB) on 27 February in Colombo.

Chairman Egodage was addressing the monthly review meeting of EDB last week when he was informed by EDB’s agro division of the latest development on Ceylon Cinnamon.

Ceylon Cinnamon secures two more int’l trademarks

The Island - 28/02/2014

Mr. Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO, EDB)

Ceylon Cinnamon, which is Sri Lanka’s second global brand, has secured its trademark in two more leading markets-with one more country application in the registration process. "I commend the EDB’s Agro division for their efforts on this initiative" said Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO, EDB).

Chairman Egodage was addressing the monthly review meeting of EDB on February 27 when he was informed by EDB’s agro division of the latest development on Ceylon Cinnamon.

SL-Iraq trade talks begin in Baghdad

Daily Mirror - 27/02/2014

The latest Sri Lanka-Iraq Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation (JEC) Commenced February 25 in Baghdad, a statement from the Industry and Commerce Ministry said.

“Iraq is certainly an important market for us not only for tea but even for other prospective products. Similarly, there would be good opportunities for Iraq to promote its products using Sri Lanka’s potential,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, making his opening remarks at the eighth session of Sri Lanka Iraq Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation (JEC) meeting in Baghdad, heading a 16-member delegation.

Iraq – Sri Lanka trade tops $90 million, up 80 per cent

Lanka Business Today - 26/02/2014

Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka - Iraq has reached $90 million, an 80 per cent increase, and the two countries are aiming to break new ground when the largest joint trade session has begun in Baghdad. OPEC’s second biggest oil power is also ready to channel its Basra Light Crude to Sri Lankan refineries.

”In the past Sri Lanka bought and refined our oil. You can buy our Basra Light brand of crude streams and we are ready to supply them to you as we are a top buyer of Ceylon Tea,” said a confident Ambassador of Iraq in Sri Lanka, Kahtan Taha Khalaf in Colombo last week.

Lankan exporters invited to utilize Pakistan’s GSP Plus with EU

Daily Mirror - 24/02/2014
By Sashi Ratnayake

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General Qasim Qureshi made an open invitation to Sri Lankan exporters to utilize the current Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP) scheme Pakistan enjoys with the European Union (EU) and expand trade between the two countries through the existing free trade agreement (FTA).

“Pakistan’s new GSP plus scheme with the EU is an opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters. For that we should jointly explore whatever is possible within the rules and regulations of the trade concession,” Qureshi said during a discussion held at the National Chamber of Commerce, recently.