Top Asia-Pac fishery man prepping Colombo for rare int’l confab

Asian Tribune - 13/08/2014

Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO-EDB-second from right) meets Dr Abdul Basir Kunhimohammed (Director General- INFOFISH-seated, with red tie, second from left) as Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB-far right) joins the discussion on 12 August at EDB.

Sri Lanka will feature a rare international confab this November –and many top global fishery experts and exporters will gather together in one place for the first time in South Asia, as announced on 12 August. “First ever International Ornamental Fish Conference to be held in Sri Lanka is taking place this November with EDB’s support. We thank Malaysia based INFOFISH for affording this opportunity to Sri Lanka” said an upbeat Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO-EDB) on 12 August at EDB.

Chairman Egodage was meeting Dr Abdul Basir Kunhimohammed (Director General- INFOFISH) on 12 August at EDB. Visiting INFOFISH DG Dr Kunhimohammed is currently in Colombo to hold preparatory meetings with Lankan stakeholders for the first ever INFOFISH Global Conference to be held in Sri Lanka titled “Sri Lankan International Ornamental Fish Conference” scheduled on 10-11 November at Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo.

“This will be a global event attended by ten international ornamental fish industry speakers” said
INFOFISH DG Dr Kunhimohammed and added: “Since they are willing to share their experiences with local ornamental industry, this will be a rare first time opportunity for Sri Lankan fishery sector to directly network and learn important lessons from international experts right here in Colombo-and all such leading figures gathering together at the same time in one location. I urge the Lankan and regional fishery sectors to make the most of this. Some of the top presenters are not only fishery experts but are also leading international fishery businesspersons. Therefore, the networking potential will be considerable. Gerald Bassleer (Current President of Ornamental Fish International) will be a star presenter and I don’t think that Lankan fishery sector should miss him. The reputed Ornamental Fish International is a trade association across no less than 44 major fish exporting and importing nations. It is not I, but the late Dr. Alex Ploeg, former Secretary General of INFOFISH who was scheduled to be in Colombo today and meet you but very sadly, Dr. Alex Ploeg, his wife, their son and his friend all perished together in the recent MH17 plane crash above Ukraine on 17 July. Despite this great loss to us and the international fishery sector, to continue with Dr Ploeg’s valuable efforts, we still decided go ahead with Colombo event in November. The event is jointly organised by INFOFISH and EDB, and co-sponsored in collaboration with OFI.”

he Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia based INFOFISH is an inter-governmental organization across 14 countries and provides marketing information and technical advisory services to the fishery industries of the Asia-Pacific region. Specially, it’s the leading source of marketing support for fish producers and exporters in the region. In addition to exhibitions, conferences, workshops, seminars and training programs, INFOFISH also undertakes consultancies on all aspects of fisheries. Also joining the 12 August meeting were Dr Yousuf Maraikkar (ED-EDB) and reps from both NAQDA and NARA.

In 2013, Sri Lanka exported $10.7 Mn of ornamental fish, a surge of 41% from 2012’s exports. US, UK, Germany, Japan and France were the top five importers from Sri Lanka in Y‘13.

“First ever International Ornamental Fish Conference to be held in Sri Lanka is taking place this November with EDB’s support” said Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO-EDB). “We thank Malaysia based INFOFISH for affording this opportunity to Sri Lanka. In fact INFOFISH has been continuously assisting us to upgrade the Lankan sector. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen inaugurated the 26th session of INFOFISH Governing Council held in Colombo in 2011 December. Therefore INFOFISH is no stranger to us. EDB wants to enlist stakeholders of Lankan fisheries such as the Fisheries Ministry, National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) and National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA).”

“Ornamental fisheries sector in Sri Lanka is very cottage and SME level and has been identified as a potential export development segment” said Sujatha Weerakoon (DG-EDB). “Therefore we need to give them not only knowledge and resources, but even networking and international linkages as well. This is the reason we decided to do this global event in Sri Lanka in November so that international participants will discuss important aspects with the local participants. We are anticipating 200 to 300 participants of which one third will be foreign ” DG Weerakoon added.

AWARENESS SEMINAR/WORKSHOP ON ORNAMENTAL FISH FOR THE EXPORT MARKET - NWP/NCP

The North Western Provincial office of the SLEDB, successfully conducted the awareness seminar/workshop on Ornamental Fish for the export Market on 12th August 2014 in the auditorium of District Secretariat-Kurunegala with the participation of 110 export oriented Ornamental Fish farmers in North Western & North Central Provinces. The programme was organized by the NWP-EDB with the assistance of National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA).

The main objective of conducting this programme is to increase the capacity of export oriented ornamental fish farmers in the region by way of enhancing Technical/Market awareness and facilitating linkages between farmers and exporters in order to develop consolidated supply base of quality ornamental fish for exports.

At this seminar, Mr. A.R.Mudalige/Officer In Charge of Aquaculture Development Center at Dambulla -NAQDA, took part as a resource person & delivered a valuable presentation giving more emphasis to the technical aspects of farming quality ornamental fish for the export market including water quality maintenance, the process & importance of quarantine facility & disease control methods etc. The presentation was more helpful for participants as they could discuss all the technical matters they have encountered while dealing in this industry. Mr. A.R.Mudalige elaborated further that organizing these types of seminars by the EDB is vital for the advancement of the industry & highlighted the need of providing assistance to obtain brood stocks for farmers as the investment is high.

In addition NWP-EDB made arrangements to get the service of an export company for the seminar as a resource person with the intention of providing practical experience on the sector for participants.   In response to a request made by the NWP-EDB, Mr. Gayan Danushka/ Managing Director of Aqualified International (Pvt) Ltd. a leading Ornamental fish exporter in the industry delivered a presentation on significance of quality requirements of supplying ornamental fish for the export market. Moreover participants made aware on regular problems face by exporters when supplying ornamental fish for the export market. He expressed that there is a huge potential to develop this industry in Sri Lanka based on the availability of natural resources, though the current export share in the world market is less than 3%. Singapore is the world leader in exporting Ornamental fish which comprise the largest market share, even they have very minimal natural resources in the country compared to Sri Lanka.

An officer representing the North Western Provincial office of the EDB also delivered a presentation on current export market trends of the Ornamental Fish at this seminar.

However, this event offered certainly an excellent opportunity for export oriented Ornamental Fish farmers in the NWP/ NCP and the NWP-EDB is intending to facilitate to establish linkages between farmers & exporters with the assistance of respective institutes to develop consolidated supply base of quality Ornamental Fish for the export market from Regions as an upcoming activity of this programme.

Korean Push for First Ever Lanka Regional Apparel Training

Source: Department of Government Information, Sri Lanka

As apparel revenues topped $2.4 Bn in ’14 1H, in a new development, Korea has extended its support to enhance industry capacity in North-and Sri Lanka’s crucial apparel industry training efforts have now expanded to regions for the first time.

“We are receiving today’s apparel technical support thanks to Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of Korea. Thanks to KOICA, our apparel training efforts have entered the regions” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka and Vanni MP on Sunday (04) in Mannar.

Minister Bathiudeen was speaking at the inauguration event of first ever branch of Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) under his Ministry in Mannar. SLITA under Ministry of Industry and Commerce caters to the apparel industry in training, testing, consultancy and technical services and has a world class testing lab which is internationally accredited and is certified with ISO 17025 and 9001 standards. In 2013, SLITA recorded highest income at $ 1.05 million from training, testing and consultancy services. SLITA also has no less than 185 training programmes with a total trainee strength of 3430. SLITA’s 56 strong lecture panel of which 18 are qualified at Masters’ level is yet another benchmark in the industry.
Sri Lanka January-June ’14 provisional exports recorded the highest 1H earnings since Y2010, and registered $5410.4 Mn ($5.4B) in total. This is a huge 45% jump from H1 2010 which stood at $3741 Mn.  In this five year 1Hs, apparel exports surged by 57%. On a YoY basis, in 2014 1H, provisional apparel revenues rose by 20.40% to $2400.5 Mn.

“This office in Mannar will serve the apparel training needs of Northern Province. This is the first time that SLITA under my Ministry is expanding to the regions. Thanks to the commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the infrastructure of Northern Province is rapidly developing. Our government has allocated more than $161 Mn for development of Mannar District. At the same time, demand for new jobs among the Northern people too is growing and there is pressure for new employment generation. Introduction of apparel training is one way that the government is trying to develop the region and also generate new employment here” said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: “Today’s batch of 20 Trainers, after one month’s training, will start to train Mannar youth and new students over a six month period. We are receiving today’s apparel technical support thanks to Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of Korea. Thanks to KOICA, our apparel training efforts entered the regions This initiative involves villages of Mannar region at first but will take the training to the rest of Northern Province thereafter. After six months’ training, the trained will be given sewing machines so that production begins soon. On behalf of people of Northern Province and SLITA, I thank KOICA for their valuable support. Next year we will officially request Mannar Divisional Secretary for land allocation for a sewing training plant to be constructed.”

In this Mannar initiative, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has donated equipment to the value of $20,000 -that includes 13 JUKI sewing machines, industrial grade cutting machine and vacuum board, a bottle iron, furniture and computers. KOICA is the main ODAs channel of the Korean Government, and provides development assistance for 44 countries worldwide.

KOICA grant aid programs include development assistance for poverty alleviation, economic infrastructure development, capacity building for public sector and supporting the education sector in Secondary education and Technical and Vocational Training. The international Convention Centre in Hambantota is a KOICA funded project.(KH).

World’s first official true cinnamon pass now live

Daily Finance Times - 11/08/2014

• EDB clears historic cinnamon upgrade effort
• 'Pure Ceylon Cinnamon TM live in 4 markets: Rishad
• 13 Lankan firms pass first global certification

In its efforts to expand the global reach of its historic spice, Sri Lanka has begun equipping its exporters with international licensing as insisted by global market hotspots. As a result, the historic assemblage of Lankan exporter firms officially sanctioned to use the internationally accredited ‘Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Global Certification’ was born in Colombo last week.

“During the last five years, Pure Ceylon Cinnamon exports have shown an increasing trend due to surging demand for it in global markets. The other good news is that the EDB has completed registration of this trade mark in the key markets of USA, EU, Peru and Colombia,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.

He was addressing the ‘Issuance of Permanent Licenses of Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Certification Mark’ event held by the EDB on 7 August in Colombo. Also joining Bathiudeen were Anura Siriwardene (Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce), Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO, EDB), Sujatha Weerakoone (DG, EDB) and Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar (ED, EDB).

Thirteen Lankan cinnamon exporter firms that were successful in fulfilling the required criteria to win this historic certification were awarded their certifications by Bathiudeen.

These cinnamon exporters were shortlisted in April this year from many applications received for certification, and they were promptly issued with temporary cinnamon licenses based on which they began their four month long exports enhancement process in conformity with quality standards of GMP/ISO9000, SLSI 81 Test, and ITI test reports.

A technical and progress evaluation committee (which included public officials) appointed by EDB, finally confirmed these 13 firms as qualified to be licensed after continuously evaluating their incremental progress over this period.

The 13 firms are A Baur & Co, Casa Canela, Devi Trading Company, Dtriangle, Food & Nature, GP De Silva & Sons International, Intercom Ltd., International Commodity Traders, JP Products, Mohksha Ltd., New Rathna Producers Cinnamon Exports, PD Romanis & Sons, and Spicing Lives. Together, these 13 firms claim approximately one-fourth of Sri Lanka’s cinnamon exports which stood at $ 61.09 m in 2013.
“Let me congratulate today’s successful recipients of Pure Ceylon Cinnamon license certification. It is thanks to the efforts of you, our committed exporters, that today we are witnessing a five-year high in first half exports of this year at $ 5.4 b, which is provisional. This is a huge increase of 54% from year 2010 first half exports of $ 3.7 billion. I am happy to note that Pure Ceylon Cinnamon plays a major role in the spice and allied product sector in terms of exports,” said Bathiudeen.

He added that during the last five years cinnamon exports have been seeing an increasing trend due to the high demand for it in global markets with USA, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia being among top buyers.
The Minister said spices and such products have been identified to achieve $ 1 b by 2020 under the committed exports vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Spice exports have grown steadily and even between May and June this year, with the sector growing by 22% to $ 49.48 m.

EDB Chairman and CEO Bandula Egodage said: “Today Ceylon Cinnamon is reaping the results of value addition efforts that we followed and EDB is celebrating an important milestone. We welcome you to this event today not as outsiders but as stakeholders. We need to commend the Spice Council of Sri Lanka for its efforts to enhance our spice exports.”

EDB Director General Sujatha Weerakoone said: “We are vying to make the spices sector a billion dollar export sector by creating value additions and global branding to gain a premium price. Our very special thanks and appreciation also goes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who initiated this global cinnamon branding effort. We also extend our gratitude to Minister Bathiudeen who has been extending his support and advice to EDB all the time.”

Trade talks for first TA with surging ‘Nam on the cards

Asian Tribune - 08/08/2014

As YoY bilateral trade jumped by a huge 88%, possibility of a first ever official trade agreement with one of the most discerning Asian suppliers to Sri Lanka has edged closer to reality on 07 August. “Our record exports today at $130 Bn was strongly supported by the seven FTAs that we entered into. An FTA with Sri Lanka can boost bilateral trade specially for Sri Lankan exporters. We should consider at least a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)” said an upbeat (HE) Ton Sinh Thanh (the outgoing Ambassador Plenipotentiary & Extraordinary of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka) on 07 June in Colombo.

Ambassador Thanh was addressing Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) on 07 August in Colombo during his farewell courtesy call on Minister Bathiudeen. Ambassador Thanh, who served a successful three year stint in Colombo is scheduled for New Delhi next. Joining Minister Bathiudeen on 07 August were RDS Kumararatne (DG-Department of Commerce) and Bandula Egodage (Chairman/CEO-EDB).

Ton Sinh Thanh (the outgoing Ambassador Plenipotentiary & Extraordinary of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka- left) in discussions with Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka-right) on 07 August in Colombo.

“Seen from our end, bilateral trade in 2014 first half (1H) already is at $ 109 Mn and therefore end of this year, we can expect a very strong bilateral trade performance. Also, 2014 1H Sri Lanka exports to Vietnam already equalled 2103 full year exports and therefore, this will be a record year for Lankan exports to Viet Nam” said Ambassador Thanh, and added: “We have been expecting this trend for a long time and now we see it at last! Vietnam wants more of Sri Lanka’s black tea, gems and leisure boats while we also want to send more of our products here. This is the reason we set up the Sri Lanka –Vietnam Business Centre here. Since there is almost no information in Vietnam on Sri Lanka products, it’s time you too set up a similar Centre in Vietnam to promote your exports to our country, which will no doubt be very useful to businesses at both sides. Our record exports today at $130 Bn was strongly supported by the seven FTAs that we entered into. An FTA with Sri Lanka can boost bilateral trade specially for Sri Lankan exporters. We should consider at least a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Your tariff for incoming Vietnamese products are still high but under a trade agreement, tariff on your products at our end too could be adjusted. Sri Lanka’s ITC/BPO as well as rubber products too are lines that you can try in Vietnam. The issue with Sri Lanka’s exports in not marketing but production capacities and you need to increase investments and identify products with advantage for you in this regard. Looking through our own experience, I observe that Sri Lanka, with its diverse fisheries, is lagging in its export of seafood and fisheries and I see very vast potentials in it for you. Vietnamese drink green tea but our youth market is turning to black tea and Sri Lankan black tea is now in demand and our youth love it-specially flavoured teas. It is time that more than one Lankan tea brand enters Vietnam. In the forthcoming Sri Lanka – Vietnam trade talks in Viet Nam on 21 August, Sri Lanka can impress on Viet Nam of the FTA’s importance for trade, while focusing on setting up sub committees on trade and amidst discussions on PTA. I also strongly suggest you to make proposals to Viet Nam to set up exclusive Sri Lankan export promotion zone in Viet Nam to be operated by Lankan manufacturers similar to the ‘Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park.’

“We congratulate Your Excellency’s new appointment to yet another important trade partner of Sri Lanka, wish you great success in your new assignment and thank you for your strong contribution in enhancing our bilateral cooperation during your stay here’ said Minister Bathiudeen responding to Ambassador Thanh, and added: “According to the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, total Lanka – Vietnam trade in 2013 rose to $ 224.39 Mn, a surge of 88% from 2012’s $119 M. This was supported by increased exports of aeroplanes, footwear, pepper, and seafood (fresh and frozen). Total exports to Vietnam alone rose by a huge 107% in 2013 to $ 43 M from 2012’s $21 Mn. These promising trends enable us towards the need for more formal trade ties such as Trade Agreements so that mutual benefits could be greatly enhanced. We too look forward to productive discussions during our Vietnam trade talks starting on 21 August and we are positive of expectations. I also invite Vietnamese investors to Sri Lanka. As for development of fisheries exports, we too understand that it is underutilised and we shall be making an integrated effort involving our fisheries sectors. We will discuss with our manufacturers on creating a Lankan Free Trade Zone in Vietnam.”

Responding to Minister Bathiudeen, Ambassador Thanh said: “Vietnamese investors now have entered into global investments such as oil and gas projects (in Venezuela), as well as telecoms, hotels in many other countries. These are the sectors of interest for them at this moment.”

Responding to Ambassador Thanh, Minister Bathiudeen said: “We welcome Vietnamese investors to our tourism infrastructure, rubber production, boat building, urban development and in infrastructure construction. One hundred percent of participation-ownership-is allowed by our government for the foreign investor on their valuable investments especially when they enter priority sectors such as tourism development. Foreign investments are given constitutional guarantees of safety with 100% profit repatriation.”

Both Minister Bathiudeen and Ambassador Thanh also discussed of the progress of other areas of bilateral cooperation on 07 August.

“FACETS Sri Lanka” To Sparkle For The 24th Year

FACETS Sri Lanka 2014, the prestigious International Gem and Jewellery Show that showcases hundreds of local and foreign exhibitors, will be held from 4th - 7th September at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre.

This year’s exhibition will comprise over 150 booths with a variety of Gem and Jewellery that include precious and semiprecious gems.


Organized by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), FACETS Sri Lanka enables all Gem & Jewellery Traders to display market collections and also help create awareness about the importance of the Gem and Jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the event will consist a seminar on “Gem and Jewellery in Sri Lanka” conducted by an expert panel of local and International panelists.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2014 encompasses individual exhibitor pavilions from Myanmar, The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and an SME pavilion from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). In addition, buyer delegations from USA, China, Russia and India will also be arriving. Stall holders from Singapore, Dubai, Myanmar and India will be participating at the event.

Speaking about the event, Juzar Adamaly, Chairman of FACETS Sri Lanka 2014 stated, “Over the past 23 years, this exhibition has steadily grown to become a world-renowned show with active participation by Gem & Jewellery importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and collectors worldwide.” He added that buyers looked forward to purchasing some of the world’s finest gems and jewellery directly from the source at this event. “This year we are expecting a record number of exhibitors and visitors as well,” Adamaly added. “With the industry looking at reaching US$ 1 Billion by the year 2015, this exhibition will continue to boost local sales and improve the brand of Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery globally,” he further stated.

Established in 1984 as the Sri Lanka Gem Traders Association, and changed its name to Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association in 2002, the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is the apex private sector organisation representing the interests of all industry sub-sectors from mining to manufacturing, wholesale and retail. SLGJA was amalgamated with three of the industry's top trade associations: Sri Lanka Jewellery Manufacturing Exporters Association, Sri Lanka Lapidarists and Exporters Association and Sri Lanka Jewellers and Gem Merchants Federation.

In the 2003 Budget, the Government of Sri Lanka declared SLGJA as the Apex industry body and charged it with a leadership role to formulate industry-level strategies to increase productivity and competitiveness. Since then, the Association works closely with the government's National Gem & Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board to advocate national policy and give input for the industry's regulatory framework. Currently, SLGJA has over 350 members who together account for over 75 percent of the country's gem and jewellery exports.

SL, Vietnam two way trade grown by 100 percent

Daily News - 07/08/2014
By Rasika Somarathna

Relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka are fast developing, and two way trade between the countries has grown by nearly 100 per cent during the last three years, Vietnamese Ambassador to Colombo Ton Sinh Thanh said.

He added, the two-way trade over the past three years has been increasing by around 30 per cent per year, the highest rate among Vietnam trade with other South Asian countries. He made thise revelation at the opening of the first ever Sri Lanka Vietnam business centre in Kelaniya, a venture promoted by the APL Group of Companies. Ambassador Thanh identified the new centre as an important landmark in the economic relations between the two countries. Highlighting the rapid growth of economic relations between the two countries the Ambassador said ; "in the first half of this year our bilateral trade volume reached US $109 million, almost equal to the volume of the whole year 2011. The Ambassador predicted that the total trade volume between the two countries this year will surpass US $200 million.

Sri Lankan exports to Vietnam too had grown considerably to reach US $43 million in the first half of this year, more than total exports from Sri Lanka to Vietnam last year.

"In line the product lines traded between the two countries have also been expanding. In 2012 there were only 39 product lines and in 2013 the number increased to 76," he added.

While suggesting there was ample scope for more improvement Ambassador Thanh noted that a Preferential trading agreement or free trade agreement and exchange of trade delegations and participation in trade fairs between the two countries would further elevate the economic cooperation.

He also commended Aruna Lekamge, Chairman of the APL group for promoting the venture tirelessly until it became a reality.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal who participated as the chief guest noted that it was important for Asian countries to build closer trade links as Asia was slated to take over the driving seat of the world economy in the next few years, Quoting a ADB research he said in the first 1,800 years since the beginning of ADB, Asia was the leader of the world economy. Only in the last 200 years the West has surpassed Asia. According to ADB Asia's contribution to world economy by 2030 will exceed 50 per cent, putting it in the driving seat once again.

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Chairman Amal Senalankadikara also spoke.

Kumarasiri Hettige, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs to the President, Members of the business community, staff of the Vietnamese embassy and APL group were present.