Exports increased by 14 per cent - Prof. Pieris

Hiran H. Senewiratne

Economic development exercises should reach grassroots level to achieve sustainable development throughout the country, the Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

"We have to link our local farmers with big businessmen to increase value addition to our local products for the purpose of venturing into export markets, Prof. Peiris said at the Society of Certified Management Accountants (CMA, Sri Lanka) Business Management Conference 2007.

The theme of the event was "Corporate Bottom Line Management".

He said that Sri Lanka is no longer a less developed country and its per capita is US$1350 per annum.

However, as far as the distribution of income and wealth is concerned we cannot be complacency, because Western province's per capita is eight times higher than the other rural areas in the country, he said.

He said to create an export or entrepreneur culture in the country we have to focus on rural based export activities.

Therefore, the Government has now decided to set up export-oriented villages throughout the country.

Minister Peiris said that Sri Lanka's exports has increased by 14 per cent compared to last year and certain sectors especially the service sector performed extremely well during the last few years.

Further, the value addition is one of the key elements to increase the export in the country.

He said that CMA could play a pivotal role to increase the employment opportunities in other countries due to the impact of the globalisation.