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Country's economy enhanced in 100-day program

Promoting exports and investments to enhance country's foreign exchange earnings while providing more relief to local consumers was the major accent of the program of action launched by the Commerce and Consumers Affairs Ministry under the directions of Minister Ravi Karunanayake to coincide with the Government's 100-day program.

The Minister has already set a target of export revenue to be achieved under this program and trade promotion activities have been launched in several foreign countries through the respective trade commissioners with a view to achieving this target. A ministry release said special emphasis will also be laid under this program to promote trade in countries and regions hitherto untapped.

The Minister has also directed Director-General of Commerce M. G. Hewage to appoint dedicated trade promotion officers to countries with a great potential for export trade such as China, Japan, Russia, Pakistan and India as it would greatly help boost the country's foreign exchange earnings in future.

The Ministry has also finalised arrangements to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan on April 16. Pakistan trade officials are due to visit Colombo shortly to attend the signing ceremony.

In a further effort to boost exports the Ministry has organised a seminar on the WTO agreement in Colombo in June to familiarise local entrepreneurs with the terms and stipulations of the World Trade Organisation agreement.

The WTO has already released the necessary Funds for organising this seminar, the release added.

Meanwhile the CWE has also been directed to expand its activities as a leading importer and buyer and distributor of essential commodities while giving the consumer a better deal as regards products and price.

Steps have also been taken to either close down or relocate more than 40 non viable CWE outlets opened by the previous regime solely for political resources. The Minister in an effort to retire consumers of the raising cost of living has already made arrangements to bring down the prices of domestic gas, milk powder and rice.

In other allied programs Investors Commission of Sri Lanka has conducted six awareness programs for students and teachers in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts. The Commission has also launched a new Web Page for expanding its services to the general public.

Meanwhile the Lanka General Trading Company has organised a New Year sale at its showroom in Colombo to dispose most of its slow moving items at give away prices. The super 'Crocodile' brand mammoties made in the UK will be available at Rs 350 each at this sale. Among other items will be the 'Boge' shock absorbers made in Germany.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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