Regional Exporters Networking initiative launched from Kandy
Daily FT: The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), under the patronage of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti successfully conducted the Regional Exporters Networking Forum on 29 July, at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Katugastota, Kandy.
The forum was organised with the objective of enhancing regional export capacities and fostering greater participation from exporters in the districts of Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kegalle in achieving the goals of the National Export Strategy.
A notable feature of the forum was the discussion on establishing a Regional Exporters Forum, which is expected to serve as a foundation for building a long-term regional export network. Through this initiative, it is anticipated that rural producers will gain better access to international markets, supply chains will be strengthened, and a more inclusive export ecosystem will be developed.
Distinguished guests at the event included Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon; Chief Secretary of the Central Province G.H.M. Ajith Premasinghe; , District Secretary of Kandy Indika Udawatta; EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe; EDB Director General Champika D. Dharmasena; along with other senior officials from the EDB’s Central Provincial Office and a large number of exporters.
Speaking to the exporters, Minister Handunnetti stated that systematic solutions will be provided to address the challenges faced by exporters and that all necessary interventions will be made to provide the required facilities.
Further elaborating, the Minister stated, “The annual export growth in previous years was 1%. However, this year we expect growth between 8% and 10%. This is a significant difference. Accordingly, we need to reach the export target of $ 36 billion over the next five years. Therefore, everyone’s contribution, attention and commitment are essential for this. Improving exports is a collective effort of all of us.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s steadily growing export sector that is showing much promise of further growth, is fast becoming one of the key business/investment opportunities in the country. The many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries and the incentives offered to businesses entering the export sector have all helped boost the country’s export industry and related sectors. Local businesses meanwhile continue to post growth and profits as well as expansion in operations indicating the growth and business potential in Sri Lanka’s exports industry and related sectors. With Sri Lanka’s exports sector looking at further value addition of its products while also looking at diversifying and expanding the existing export product portfolios to fit the evolving requirements of the foreign markets. There are many new and unique business/investment opportunities emerging in Sri Lanka’s export industry. Given all these factors, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s export industry and related sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250811/Z_7 |