StateNews

EDB to encourage rural exports

Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The strategy of the Export Development Board (EDB) is to launch production of export commodities in rural areas and to see that the profits earned from exports trickle down to the rural masses said Chairman EDB, Anil Koswatta.

He said that EDB has already decentralised its operations giving opportunities for the rural population to produce export goods.

In order to achieve this goals, EDB has decided to strengthen the regional network by the establishment of branch offices and organising a series of Expo Exhibitions. The new branch office of EDB opened in Hambantota a few days ago and another one will be opened in Ampara next week.

The chairman said that the purpose of setting up of new regional offices would be to identify new resources develop available resources in the region for export market and to encourage people to improve their skills to compete with the global market.

The first provincial expo exhibition Ruhunu Expo' 08 was held in Hambantota last weekend at Tzu Chi National School. That was the first of three regional export Exhibitions and the other two will be held in Badulla and Polonnaruwa in the near future. A Sri Lanka Expo Exhibition will be held in Colombo, he said.

He said that the main objectives of those exhibitions would be to strengthen the current operational system of export in the region, identify the potential products and services, encourage the producers to associate with the established direct exporters and motivate the producers for direct exports.

This nature of strategy will create a new regional export culture for the producers to acquaint with buyers to initiate business on their own area, he said. He said that the traditional attitude of the public sector bureaucrats is that the people should come to them and they need not to go to the people.

Koswatte a professional marketier from the private sector assumed his duties as the chairman and CEO of EDB last September.

He said traditional attitude of the public sector bureaucrats is that the people should come to them and they need not to go to the people. The Chairman EDB strongly believes that unvalued resources are lying in the outside Colombo city and EDB regions should step in to the provinces soon.

As an agricultural country Agribased exports are vital. That is why Rs. 500 million was allocated by the budget 2009 for regional development programmes mainly for export agricultural projects, he said.

Another Rs. 1000 million was allocated by the budget to find new export markets for the increase of production, he said.

Explaining the mechanism of the export drive, the chairman said that under the outgrower concept linkage will be established between the farmers and the export companies. The companies will provide the farmers with the seed materials they need and the knowhow, he said.

He said that eight Agro Exporting Zones namely Eastern, Northern, Southern, Uva, North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western Zones will be setup soon. EDB operates a scheme of assistance for exporters and potential exporters to enhance export market opportunities. Under this scheme, companies will be assisted by way of own marketing efforts for trade fair participation product improvements, overseas advertising and market surveys. The main market promotion programs for the promotion of exports are participation at International trade fairs, buyers seller meetings, inward buying missions and international seminars training and study missions, he said.

EDB completes thirty years of service next year. Explaining the export performance during the past, the chairman said the growth of export sector of Sri Lanka was recorded a remarkable improvement.

The export sector which grew by 10.2 percent and 8.5 percent in 2005 and 2006 respectively continued its positive performance during the year 2007 by 12.5 percent. That performance could be attributed to the increased access to several key markets under bilateral and preferential trading arrangements, various supply and market development initiatives by exporters and EDB, he said.

Garments, tea, rubber, finished products, diamonds, gems and jewellery, electrical-mechanical and electronics items, food, beverages and tobacco, Fish products, spices, chemicals and plastics were the major product sectors of exports in 2007, he said.

EDB has over two hundred professionals qualified in the field of International trade who are committed to the task of development of exports from Sri Lanka. The all possible assistance including financial assistance extends to the entrepreneurs to take their products and services to the international market under the 'Gamen Loweta' programme, he said.

Shilpa - 2008 a resounding success

The Shilpa - 2008 National Handicrafts Industries Exhibition organised by the National Craft Council (NCC) representing all regions of Sri Lanka had attracted a large number of visitors. Around 1000 different handicraft creations were the centre of attraction at the exhibition and of all creations Dambulla, Yapagama W. H. Saminda and Kalutara Bandaragama S. A. D. C. Wimalawathee were able to receive Swarna Awards.

The NCC under the patronage of the Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion Ministry organises the National Handicrafts Industrials Exhibition annually and the exhibition has been able to encourage handicrafts artistes and appreciate their workmanship. The handicrafts artiste Bandaragama Wimalawathee had painstakingly created "Rata Padura" representing hereditary handicrafts workmanship and the bench of judges of the exhibition was impressed with her creation because the "Rata Padura" creation was a masterpiece as her creation had reached a high degree of excellence.

The handicrafts artiste Saminda had created an exquisite wood handicraft depicting the important occasion of bringing the sacred tooth relic to Sri Lanka. The creation was of religious significance.

Handicrafts artistes were also able to win 12 Rajatha Awards for different creations held under 49 competition units and handicrafts artistes were also able to win first place 25 awards, 35 second place awards, 36 third place awards and 185 merit awards. Altogether handicrafts artistes had won 295 awards.

The NCC will hold award presentation ceremony at the beginning of next year and all winners at the competitions will be presented awards, certificates and monetary rewards. Those who have won the Swarna Awards will receive Rs. 50,000, for Rajatha winners Rs. 25, 000. The first, second, third winners will receive Rs. 20,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 and merit winners will get Rs. 5,000.