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The Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters will meet senior BOI officials today to discuss issues affecting the small and medium sector of apparel exporters.

A Chamber official said the discussion would mainly focus on logistics issues including delays and surcharges at the port and manpower issues.

"We will discuss the immediate measures that should be taken to solve the problems of small and medium scale garment manufacturers. The BOI will make representations to the Government on possible solutions," the official said.

He said the Chamber needs an immediate solution to the problem of unnecessary delays and costs at the port which discourage the small and medium scale apparel exporters.

The shortage of labour and the lack of BOI officials for assistance is one of our major concerns. We have already pointed out to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority the need to bring about effective changes in handling cargo. There should be a speedy documentation facilities for exporters. " the official said.

He said the small and medium scale apparel sector finds it difficult to improve productivity due to certain structural weakness in the industry.

"Absenteeism of factory staff mainly due to the lack of hostel facilities particularly in the case of female employees is a major constraint in the industry. Frequent power failures and machine breakdowns and lack of engineering support obstruct any effort at improving productivity. It is more pronounced in the case of the SME sector," the official said.

He said the Chamber's talks with the BOI would give small and medium scale apparel industrialists an opportunity to articulate problems which are unique to them at a time when there is a drastic reduction in export orders due to global economic slowdown and war situation.

"Harmonising the BOI and the Non BOI apparel manufacturers is important in improving competitiveness. It is time to review duty concessions and tax exemptions, he said.

The Chamber has asked for a 75 percent grant for SMEs with 25 percent counterpart funds, in comparison to a 50 to 50 percent grant and counterpart funding for large factories," the official said.

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