Export income from cut flowers, foliage increases

Export income from cut flowers has increased by 30 per cent while from foliage 20 per cent, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof G.L. Peiris.

The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of foliage exports programme in the Matale area with the participation of farmers’ societies and export oriented companies.

“The substantial achievement of the Government has been to ensure that the growth of exports by more than 15 per cent in recent months not only brings the country a larger volume of foreign exchange but that these benefits reach the rural sector today in abundant measure,” Professor G.L. Peiris, Export Development and International Trade Minister said in Matale on Saturday.

The Minister pointed out that the largest volumes of foreign exchange are generated today by non-traditional exports. The phenomenal performance of the apparel sector had put Sri Lanka on the international map as a global leader.

“The Ministry took great pains to identify the industries which could appropriately be developed in different regions of the country, having regard to such factors as geographical location, climate, soil and cultural factors.”

He described the initiatives which had been successfully pursued in respect of fruit and vegetable cultivation in the Anuradhapura district, aquarium fish projects in Plonnaruwa, plantain and juggery projects in Ratnapura, the focus on coir products in the Kurunegala and Puttalam areas and lace making and handicraft in Galle.

Prof. Peiris referred to the immense potential clearly available in the Matale district, with a particularly congenial environment. The Matale district, is especially suitable for the development of cocoa and spices.

Recent investigations demonstrate beyond doubt the suitability of Matale district for foliage cultivation.