EDB organises Lanka pavilion for Kunming Fair

Daily News - 19/03/2014

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China will organize a Sri Lanka pavilion at the second China South Asia Exposition to be held at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Centre, from June 6 to 10, 2014

This exposition is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Government of Yunnan province to promote import products from the South Asian region .

Applications are expected from manufacturers and exporters from the categories such as food and beverages (tea, spices and kitchen essentials, processed food products, fish and related fishery products and fresh fruits and vegetables), agri products (cut flowers and foliage, coir and coir products), gems and jewellery, garments and textiles, ceramics and porcelain products, handicrafts (high quality handicrafts, batiks, artificial fashion jewellery), healthcare products (herbal products, personal care products) finally industrial products such as rubber and based products, paints and varnishes, automobile spare parts, bicycle products, electrical products and activated carbon.

The organizers in China will provide an effective publicity agenda to attract the local business representatives to the fair, thus providing the participants with a good opportunity to establish a good recognition in the import market. The organizers will also arrange one to one business interactions and corporate match making meetings for the attendants, in order to conduct clear presentations for the business visitors.

The shortlisted applicants will first be interviewed by the selection committee and selected companies will be provided stall space of 9sqmt with brick fixtures and fittings.

Applications can be obtained at the Market Development Division EDB or from the EDB website www.srilanka business.com, should be submitted to the Director/Market Development to reach before March 25,2014. 

Steps taken to expand Gem and Jewelry exports

news.lk - 18/03/2014

Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewelry Industry is emerging as one of the biggest foreign exchange earning industry for the country. The Gem and Jewellery Authority has implemented many measures to uplift the industry.

These includes holding periodical exhibitions locally and in foreign countries and providing facilities for gem miners and establishing partnerships with other gem exporting countries in the world.

As a result of these activities Myanmar has invited Sri Lanka to establish cooperation in the industry.  Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Lakshman Wasantha Perera said that with this new initiative from Myanmar 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 Sri Lankan exports.

He said that there are possibilities of importing rough stones and re-exporting them with high value added finished products.

In 2012 Sri Lanka exported Rs.111 million worth of gems and, diamond re-exports amounted to over Rs. 410 million.  Plans have been made to increase the revenue from Gem exports to Rs. One Billion by the year 2015.

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.