Sri Lankan missions overseas to promote batik, handloom and local apparels
Daily FT: The Foreign Ministry and the State Ministry of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products had held a joint session to promote batik, handloom and local apparel products through the Sri Lankan Missions worldwide.
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who chaired the event reiterated the importance of economic diplomacy initiatives and emphasized that Sri Lankan indigenous products are an outcome of creativity of the people and their promotion abroad will directly uplift the economy at grassroots level.
Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Sri Lankan diplomats to vigorously promote the Sri Lankan batik and handloom products in their respective countries of accreditation and presented samples for displaying at the Missions and events.
He also explained the various initiatives being taken to promote them in foreign countries. Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage apprised the beauty of the work of art from the cottage industry of Sri Lanka and suggested to observe a weekly batik day to reenergize the sector.
State Ministry of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products Secretary Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board Chairman Lakmal Wickramaarachchi and senior officials of Foreign Ministry and State Ministry of Regional Cooperation also attended the event, while Sri Lankan Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other diplomatic officials joined virtually.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities are looking at further promoting local products like batik, handloom and other locally manufactured apparel products in foreign markets as part of its expansion programme. The latest venture to promote local garments through Sri Lanka’s foreign missions overseas is a move in the right direction given the many trade agreements and concessions enjoyed by the country. The government of Sri Lanka has offered many incentives to the small and medium scale manufacturers to help them expand their product lines with the intention of expanding the foreign markets for Sri Lankan products. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore the growing opportunities in Sri Lanka’s apparel manufacturing sector, especially to partner with the small and medium industries in order to help their expansion programme.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/04032022/Z_1 |