National strategy for exports

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE)of Sri Lanka President stressed on the importance of developing national strategy for acceleration of exports in the country. NCE President Rohan Fernando said, "We need the government to develop a national strategy to accelerate exports with true value addition."

He was speaking at the 17th Annual NCE Export Awards which was held on Friday at Hilton Colombo.

"The export community in Sri Lanka does not beg for handouts. But they demand certain corrective and cohesive options to carry on their business," he said.

"We have been informed that EDRS payments will be distributed soon and this is a welcome message for exporters. We appeal to the government not to stop with ERDS.

The country needs to increase its export economy from USD 8 billion to USD 16 billion. If a concerted effort is made, we can achieve this target within three years," he said.

We request that an urgent program for expansion of exports be formulated so that we will all benefit from the new opportunities emerging from foreign markets after the recession," he said.

Fernando said that despite the current global financial meltdown Sri Lankan exporters were able to perform well.

Sri Lanka's unique position in the Indian ocean amidst the maritime routes and the vast natural resources on the land and in the sea make our country an attractive proposal for many powerful economic alliance, he said. Brazil, Russia, India and China have been grouped as the new economic power base known as BRIC countries. Sri Lanka truly has the power to become the economic hub in the region and include in the BRIC group, he said.

Export Development and International Trade Minister and Post and Telecommunication Acting Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said exports are the key to the country's prosperity in the future.

The value addition for the purpose of exports will be stimulate market opportunities.

The Minister invited all the exporters to derive maximum benefits through the bilateral trade agreements the country has entered into.

Winners have been selected under ten main sectors which consist of agriculture bulk sector, agriculture value added sector, Tea bulk sector, Tea value added sector, Industry sector, garment sector, minerals, export of business and professional service sector, service providers to export sector and precious stones and jewellery sector.

The Most Outstanding Exporter of the year was Colombo Dockyard PLC and Most Outstanding Exporter Runners-up were Expolanka Teas (Pvt) Ltd and George Steuart (Teas and Marketing).

NCE member companies represent approximately 60 percent of the national export earnings and the applicants numbering 140 companies who applied for awards totally accounted for 23 percent of the export earnings.