Dankotuwa Porcelain to step up exports to India

Lumbini EDIRISINGHE

Dankotuwa Porcelain Limited hopes to increase exports to India during this year.

Dankotuwa Porcelain Limited exports a variety of items in different shapes to 25 countries. Its export market covers 60 per cent of the European countries such as USA, UK and Germany and other countries such as Russia, Poland, Japan, Colombia and the Czech Republic.

Managing Director of Dankotuwa Porcelain Limited, Sunil G Wijesinghe said, “There is a drop in demand on account of the current global crisis. Compared to the previous year, there was a sharp drop in demand. Our major buyer as well as long term American customer since 1998 Crate and barrel, a chain of American retail stores has stopped placing orders.

Most countries have reduced or stopped placing orders. The economic melt down has affected the porcelain industry in different ways,” he said.

“It’s true, there is an impact on sales due to recession which has affected all countries including Sri Lanka. People are not much concerned about luxurious things like ceramic items. They are more concerned about essential items in day-to-day life.

The Sri Lankan rupee is unable to stand strongly against other currencies. As a solution, we are planning new marketing strategies in the current global scenario. We plan to add cheaper designs without gold or platinum,” he said. High taxes imposed on the industry badly impacts on business.

The industry needs Government assistance to survive in the business, he said. Dankotuwa Porcelain Limited, a Sri Lanka-based company, is engaged in manufacturing and marketing Porcelain tableware for the local and foreign markets.