Initiative to jumpstart Palestine - SL trade

The Island - 18/03/2014

Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka-far right Rishad Bathiudeen prepares for the interview with Mai Bakry (presenter, "Palestine TV") on 07 March in Colombo. Third from right (standing) is Anwer al-Agha, Palestine Ambassador to Colombo.

Bilateral trade needs to be revived first, before moving for such trade mechanisms as FTAs when it comes to trade with the virgin market of Palestinian Territories. "FTA with the Palestinian Territories is a good idea but with non-existent trade at present, it is too early for it" said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.

Minister Bathiudeen was speaking to Ms Mai Bakry, presenter of "Palestine TV" on March 07 in Colombo when he was interviewed for the channel.

"Sri Lanka has entered into a new economic development phase thanks to President Mahinda Rajapoaksa. We are now a lower middle income country focusing to develop as a commercial hub in this region. Sri Lanka and the State of Palestine are maintaining very cordial relations over the years. The recent visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Palestine has further enhanced and strengthened relations between the two countries" Minister Bathiudeen said, introducing Sri Lankan economy to Palestinian viewers. "However, bilateral trade, between the two countries is low and almost negligible. This shows that there is very strong unrealised trade potential at both ends" Minister Bathiudeen added.

Sri Lanka’s total trade with Palestine Territories stood at $ 0.02 Mn in 2010. Thereafter the values fell to almost negligible amounts.

When asked by Bakry on current bilateral trade reality, Minister Bathiudeen responded: "The export values are very low at only $ 0.02 Mn! No imports from Palestine. Our exports to Palestine are only some yarn and vegetable oil."

When asked by Bakry on the potentials for FTAs with Palestine Territories, Minister Bathiudeen responded: "FTA? There is a need to work to enhance bilateral trade and business. FTA with the Palestinian Territories is a good idea no doubt but with non-existent trade at present between our countries, it is too early for it."

On practical steps to revive trade, Minister Bathiudeen said: "In view of the low trade, during my meeting with Dr. Ms. Khuloud Daibes, Palestinian Minister of Tourism, in April 2012 in Colombo, I expressed our country’s interest to create a "Sri Lanka - Palestine Joint Investment Forum" to increase bilateral trade. I believe that we can work to establish such a mechanism which is a promising starting point for both partners."

Explaining the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka for Palestinian investors, Minister Bathiudeen said: "There are many opportunities in Sri Lanka for Palestinian business community, in diverse sectors for trade and investment. Opportunities are also, available under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Also, I stress tourism. Middle Eastern tourists including from Palestine, are now more and more aware about Sri Lanka than before. We invite the Palestinian business delegation, to visit Sri Lanka to explore the opportunities available for them. My ministry will provide all the support and assistance to investors from Palestine. 100% ownership for, Palestinian investments also ensured. Palestinian investments in Sri Lanka are guaranteed by the constitution as well."

Exclusive Myanmar gem zone for Sri Lanka

Daily Finance Times - 17/03/2014

Sri Lanka’s gem mining industry is set to turn a new chapter as Myanmar has invited the country for unprecedented cooperation efforts across many sectors. “I am pleased to say that the follow-up delegation as a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to BIMSTEC in Myanmar has reaped great success. I am quite confident that, with this initiative, we could establish new industries both local and foreign, to enable us to generate huge employment opportunities locally and overseas, in addition to development of exports of Sri Lanka,” revealed Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Lakshman Wasantha Perera.

Deputy Minister Perera was speaking in the aftermath of his ministerial meetings with members of the Myanmar Cabinet in Myanmar.  Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Lakshman Wasantha Perera led the 15 member strong Sri Lankan delegation to the Myanmar Construction Summit held in the country’s capital city Naypyidaw.

Deputy Minister Perera’s delegation was organised by the Export Development Board, and consisted of EDB Chairman and CEO Bandula Egodage and representatives from 12 leading Sri Lankan construction firms as well as EDB officials, accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Myanmar H.R. Piyasiri.

Deputy Minister Perera’s delegation is a follow up to the recent visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the BIMSTEC summit in Myanmar. During his visit, Deputy Minister Perera called on Union Minister of Mines Dr. Myint Aung, Union Minister of Construction U. Kyaw Lwin and Union Minister of Commerce U.Win Myint.

During Deputy Minister Perera’s meeting with Minister Dr. Myint Aung, held on 10 March, the usage of high technology for gem mining was the key highlight, but also focused on the possibilities of having a dedicated Sri Lankan gem mining zone in Myanmar with the added potential of ample employment opportunities for Lankans. This development is in spite of foreign gem mining being still not allowed in Myanmar.

In order to improve the efficiency and value addition to the total industry, usage possibilities of latest gems identification technology (CNC) by both countries was also discussed. Possibilities of importing rough stones and re-exporting with high value added (cutting/polishing) finished products was yet another topic that received the attention of both parties.

Sri Lanka’s offer of green housing technology was the key topic at Deputy Minister Perera’s meeting with U. Kyaw Lwin (Union Minister of Construction of Myanmar) on 10 March. Sri Lanka has offered low cost, environment friendly, green housing construction technology to Myanmar. Realising that construction plays a vital role in the development, both parties agreed for a follow up session in the due course.

During Deputy Minister Perera’s meeting with U. Win Myint (Union Minister of Commerce of Myanmar), technology upgrading in the processing of gram, pepper and agricultural products took place. Production of biogas from food waste and paddy husk was also tabled during the session.

The Government of Myanmar principally agreed to obtain proposed Sri Lankan high technology for Myanmar industries –including gem mining, low cost construction of housing and buildings, and agricultural process engineering.

Export Development Board, along with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, will submit project proposals to the Government of Myanmar, in consultation with Ministries/Agencies of Environment, Gem and Jewellery authority, Housing and Construction, and Department of Agriculture, in the near future.

China starts first Sri Lanka value chain study

Daily Nation - 12/03/2014

Sujatha Weerakoon, Director General, EDB-far right, addresses Peng Jinhuo, Division Head of Inspection and Quarantine Authority (seated front row, far right in brown outfit)

Strengthening bilateral trade cooperation further, China’s powerful official organ in charge of import commodity inspections, has despatched its first expert study team to Sri Lanka, signalling that China is opening for Sri Lanka’s agro-exports.

The official quarantine study team from the powerful official organ in charge of import commodity inspections, Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (ADSIQ-China) has arrived in Sri Lanka on 05 February and begun work on 06 February, by liaising with the EDB. The three member team is scheduled to return to China on 12 March.

During his official visit to Kunming, China in June 2012, Minister Trade and Industry Minister Rishad Bathiudeen made an official request to Gu Zhaoxi, Deputy Governor of People’s Government of Yunnan Province on China’s quarantining of Sri Lankan perishables. The EDB under Minister Bathiudeen was informed by Lankan exporters of the difficulties when exporting fresh agricultural products to China which Minister Bathiudeen was representing to Chinese officials.

Thereafter, Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (ADSIQ-China) through the Sri Lankan Embassy in China, sent a questionnaire on the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) requesting information to proceed with the quarantine protocol of China enabling them to consider granting approval and in July 2012 requested to prioritise the products and to request approval accordingly.

Thereafter, based on Chinese export market potentials, Mango, Banana and Pineapple were selected at the initial stage while on EDBs request, the National Plant Quarantine Service of Department of Agriculture had submitted a PRA to obtain Chinese market access for these three fruits. The EDB subsequently forwarded the same to the ADSIQ through the Sri Lankan Embassy in China.

“When it comes to China-Sri Lanka bilateral trade, we in China lack knowledge on the production processes of Sri Lankan agro sector” said Peng Jinhuo, Division Head of Inspection and Quarantine Authority (Liaoning based), who leads the team to Sri Lanka. “Our main objective during this tour is the capacity evaluation of Sri Lanka’s banana value chain. In that, we are looking for first-hand learning of value chains. We also want to learn of Sri Lankan rules on agro exports” added Jinhuo.

“We welcome you to study our agro products” said Sujatha Weerakoon (Director General, EDB) addressing Division Head Jinhuo, and said: “Our agro exports have strong standing in international markets. It is time that China experience them too.”

A presentation by Dr DPP Jayakodi (Additional Director, National Plant Quarantine Service) on quarantine procedures used in Sri Lanka exports, was also made to the visiting Chinese delegation at the EDB.

According to the Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s bilateral trade with China stood at $ 2.67 Bn, with the balance of trade in favour of China. Apparel, mineral sands, mattress fiber, coir fiber, rubber and tea (bulk) and tyres and tubes are the top Sri Lankan exports to China.  In 2012, China bought $ 0.02 Mn of fruits from Sri Lanka (including bananas). Biggest importer of Sri Lankan fruits in 2012 was Saudi Arabia ($ 4.28 Mn of fruits), followed by India, UAE, Maldives, Qatar and 33 other countries. According to the EDB, Sri Lanka’s total fruit exports in 2012 stood at $ 18.69 Mn.

‘75% of our exporters are SMEs’

The Island - 14/03/2014

Sujatha Weerakoon (DG-EDB-far left) addresses the audience at EDB facilitated Internationalisation of SMEs session by PUM Netherlands senior experts on March 14. Seated at head table (at centre) is Dutch Tech Transfer Expert Cees Van Dijl.

SMEs are the backbone of our economy and more importantly, they are at the level of exports too! "Of the more than 4000 of Sri Lankan export firms, 75% are SMEs. Therefore we have a huge responsibility to groom them to become large scale export firms" said Sujatha Weerakoon (DG-EDB).

DG-EDB Weerakoon was addressing the EDB facilitated "Internationalisation of SMEs session by PUM Netherlands senior experts" session held at EDB on March 14.

"Large firms do the exports on their own but we have to have a strong second tier. EDB is looking at SMEs very seriously, closely, allocating a whole division within EDB for its development. PUM senior experts are offering their valuable services free of charge and we can utilise their services to strengthen SME capacity building and go to the next level in exports. I am thankful for PUM Netherlands and more importantly to the government of Netherlands for the support given to us. In fact, the government of Netherlands has increased its expert supply quota to Sri Lanka."

"The Netherland government backed PUM Netherlands senior experts program operates in 70 countries in almost all sectors" said Dutch Tech Transfer Expert Cees Van Dijl, addressing the event. "We connect entrepreneurs in developing countries and emerging markets with senior experts from the Netherlands each of whom has gained at least 30 years of experience in a business environment. Our Sri Lanka support and consultancy are absolutely free! Our 3,200 volunteers advise 2,000 entrepreneurs annually in almost every field imaginable: from logistics to welding techniques, and from the hotel & catering trade to carpentry. PUM is already supporting more than 350 SMEs in Sri Lanka" Van Dijl added.

China starts Sri Lanka agro value chain studies

The Island - 13/03/2014

Fujian, China’s emerging high growth province, is eager for more Sri Lankan exports to its demanding marketplace-and a visiting delegation to Colombo pushed for direct links with Lankan businesses on 06 March in Colombo. "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 a keen (HE) Song Kening (Director-General of Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs) on 06 March in Colombo.

Director-General Kening was 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 on 06 March at EDB premises, Colombo.

Director-General Kening is now in Colombo on a three day official visit leading a 21-member strong business and investment delegation (which he termed as an Economic delegation) from Fujian Province, China, facilitated by EDB (for B2B as well as networking). Director-General Kening, who handles foreign relations of Fujian, is in par with the rank of any Chinese Provincial Foreign Minister.

Among the leading Fujian firms and institutions in this Fujian delegation on 06 March were China National Engineering Research Centre of JUNCAO Technology, Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University, Centron Communication Technologies Fujian Co, Fuzhon Xinbei Bio-Chemical Industry Co, Yuangdong Huamei electric Motors, Gold Billras Water Environmental Engineering Co, Fujian Minwell Industrial Co, Fujian ABLE Motor Group Co, Ningde Junlv Agriculture Co, Ningde Hongdi Hotel Co, Fuzon Fanrong Jewelry Co, and Beijing Guo Chatang Health Technological Development Co. Among the Sri Lankan biz taking part, facilitated by EDB, were Tropical Foods, Global Seafoods, Hayleys Fibre, Micro Cars PLC, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), Electronics Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, SLAMERP, Raigam Marketing, Global Rubber Industries, COSTI, Nature’s Beauty Creations, Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters and FGM Lanka, among others. During 06 March meeting, Lankan fisheries/seafood, tea, gem & jewellery, tourism, electronics and cosmetics appeared to have drawn the immediate attention of the visiting Fujian delegation.

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.

Kening is now in Colombo on a three day official visit leading a 21-member strong business and investment delegation (which he termed as an Economic delegation) from Fujian Province, China, facilitated by EDB (for B2B as well as networking). Kening, who handles foreign relations of Fujian, is in par with the rank of any Chinese Provincial Foreign Minister.

Among the leading Fujian firms and institutions in the delegation were China National Engineering Research Centre of JUNCAO Technology, Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University, Centron Communication Technologies  Fujian Co, Fuzhon Xinbei Bio-Chemical Industry Co, Yuangdong Huamei electric Motors, Gold Billras Water Environmental Engineering Co, Fujian Minwell Industrial Co, Fujian ABLE Motor Group Co, Ningde Junlv Agriculture Co, Ningde Hongdi Hotel Co, Fuzon Fanrong Jewelry Co, and Beijing Guo Chatang Health Technological Development Co.

Among the Sri Lankan biz taking part, facilitated by EDB, were Tropical Foods, Global Seafoods, Hayleys Fibre, Micro Cars PLC, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), Electronics Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, SLAMERP, Raigam Marketing, Global Rubber Industries, COSTI, Nature’s Beauty Creations, Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters and FGM Lanka, among others. During 06 Thursday’s meeting, Lankan fisheries/seafood, tea, gem & jewellery, tourism, electronics and cosmetics appeared to have drawn the immediate attention of the visiting Fujian delegation.

“Investment, tourism and trade –all these are aspects of commercial diplomacy” said EDB Chairman/CEO Egodage, who warmly welcomed Fujian Director-General Kening and the delegation to EDB. “We should not restrict ourselves to discussions but also set up an action plan after this session. I also urge potential partners at both sides to forge direct contacts with each other right here. Both sides can mutually benefit in many sectors of cooperation, including trade” Egodage added.

“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” responded Director-General Kening, and added: “Post-war Sri Lanka’s economic momentum is good. We are confident of Sri Lanka’s progress and very happy to partner with Sri Lanka.

There is also good cooperation between people of Sri Lanka and Fujian and Fujian government attaches great importance to this connection. With this visit, we aim for stronger ties, friendship and networking mechanism. This delegation is only 21 members but they represent the typical business sector of Fujian. During this visit, we want to establish direct links with Lankan entrepreneurs and Fujian businesses. We sincerely appreciate Sri Lanka EDB’s efforts to this end. In 2013, Fujian province exported $ 170 Mn to Sri Lanka while it imported only $ 13 Mn goods from Sri Lanka. We want Sri Lanka – Fujian trade to grow in Sri Lanka’s favour.

With this latest initiative, there is opportunity for more Sri Lankan products to enter the Fujian market. Lack of natural disasters, strong ocean resources and access, mild, stable year-round weather are very attractive “Lankan factors” for Fujian businesses and investors. You see, China is a huge seafood consumer. Many Lankan seafood exporters present here today arranged by EDB, are therefore a very encouraging situation to us!”

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

He said that for the first time trade balance too has narrowed from US$133 million to US$ 83 million.

Sri Lankan exports to Germany included tea, apparels and electronic equipment based products manufactured in the Free Trade Zone.

He said that most of the exports from Germany to Sri Lanka are automobiles with Mercedes Benz and BMW leading the way. Other exports from Germany to Sri Lanka include medical equipment and machinery.

Sri Lanka German diplomatic relations are very strong and cordial and this too was a reason for additional trade.

He also said that Sri Lanka is a preferred destination for German tourists which is currently number three to Sri Lanka. Over a decade ago Germany was the highest tourism contributor to Sri Lanka.

Germany is Sri Lanka's second largest investor from the European Union. Many of the German companies operating in Sri Lanka are global leaders in their field.