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| Wednesday, 21 July 2004 |
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Export sector records 13.9% growth in Q1 2004 by Irangika Range and Anjana Samarasinghe Sri Lanka's export sector has recorded a growth of 13.9 percent for the first quarter of this year, while a growth rate of 9 percent was achieved in 2003. This was significant compared to the downturn of 2.8 percent in 2002. This growth was mainly due to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board's (EDB) new strategic approach in 2003 to promote exports. The strategy focussed on implementation of a number of programs with public and private sector partnership on cost-sharing basis to enhance productivity, value addition and competitiveness of the export sector. According to the EDB they have carried out supply development, product development and quality development programs in selected sectors of export. This year EDB will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The ceremony will be held at the BMICH on August 3 under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. The EDB embarked on formulating the National Export Strategy for Sri Lanka for the period 2004-2008, and set up Export Processing Companies (EPCs) in the provinces under the Export Production Villages (EPVs) in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Rural Industries. Galgamuwa, Uva Paranagama, Angunakolapelassa, Godakawela, Dambadeniya, Tissamaharamaya, Polonnaruwa, Attanagalla and Iranawilla are the seven projects. The total investment for these seven projects was Rs 195. million. These projects are processing, cultivation of fruits, vegetables, finger millets and mica and manufacture of value added coir products and tea bags for export. Over 4,530 farmers sell their products at higher prices in international markets. The EDB also established a Trade Centre in Chennai to promote local products and services in India and retail sales were carried out to the value of Indian Rs.4.0 million within three months. EDB's Deputy Director of the Trade Information Service, S.P.S.G Wickramasuriya said the division provides information on markets, products, tariffs, regulations, internal commodity prices, national and international statistics. "We also provided on-line access to international data bases. Over 179 reports covering statistical information on export markets, 28 Expo News and 15 Apanayana Puwath publications were issued; and around 13 foreign buyers invested in Sri Lanka," he said. Wickramasuriya said the division organised local participation at international ICT and Electronic exhibitions. The total export of electrical products and parts was US$ 45.49 million in 2002 while it was US$ 70.7 million in 2003. " The total exports of electronic products and parts were US$ 62.62 million in 2002 while it were US$ 79.30 in 2003," he said. EDB's Acting Director of the Tradenet SL Division, Chitranganie Mubarak said the division offers a range of e-business service through the e-commerce centres to exporters. "Local exporters can find buyers and sell their products via the internet. These services include information searches, creation of web pages, web advertisements and web links. The e-commerce services have generated business opportunities valued at nearly US$ 123,000. We have an on-line trading platform which is the software and provides online purchase of local products to buyers anywhere in the world. Over 50 local companies have already registered and earned US$ 20,000 up to now," she said. |
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