Sri Lanka to set up internationally accredited laboratory for tea exporters to test consignments
Tea Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (TEA) newly appointed Chairman Sanjaya Herath has reportedly stated that local tea exporters will soon be able to test their consignments in an internationally accredited laboratory set up within the country.
The Sunday Morning Business has reported that the long-needed requirement to have an internationally accredited laboratory is finally being addressed as Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Plantation Industries, Tea Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (TEA), and Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) are in the process of setting up a fully fledged testing facility.
Addressing the media during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the TEA last Friday (6), Herath has said they requested Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama to provide assistance to this initiative through the Japanese Government.
Herath has further stated that they are planning to work closely with the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) to develop the tea industry in commercial aspects and will look to obtain the geographical indication (GI) status for Sri Lanka’s tea produce.
“One of the other major projects we want to undertake is to fast track the securing of the GI status for Ceylon tea in order to reach the full potential for our tea.”
According to the news report, Herath has also expressed his grievance towards the inability to address the issue of several tea packers outside the country using the name “Ceylon” in their packaging and emphasised the importance of automating the whole tea industry, which would help the industry to become efficient and to eradicate corruption and malpractice.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities have paid much attention to the development of the country’s tea industry. Apart from offering many incentives to promote the tea industry authorities are also launching a massive global promotional campaign to further boost the industry. Sri Lanka’s tea exports have also shown a continuous growth and are showing signs of further growth. Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka have helped boost tea exports. The latest move of setting up a laboratory to test tea before exporting would further boost Ceylon Tea in the global market. Foreign companies could confidently purchase Ceylon Tea. Also, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/11092019/Z_3 |