Sri Lanka asks exporters to push product quality

Export of sub-standard products will ruin the country's reputation in the international market as a supplier of high quality spices to the world, and the Export Development Board has already been facilitating Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to the cinnamon industry to improve Sri Lankan cinnamon quality, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (left), the Spice Council Chairman Sarada de Silva (centre) and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa (right) at the Spice Council AGM.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Spice Council on November 4 at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. Also present on the occasion were Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Minor Export Crop Promotions Minister Reginald Cooray and the Spice Council Chairman Sarada de Silva.

"I wish to stress an important point for the members of spice exporter's association. That is, exporting of sub-standard products will ruin the reputation gained by Sri Lanka in the international market as a supplier of high quality spices to the world. The Export Development Board has already assisted 20 cinnamon processing centres to upgrade them to Good Manufacturing Practice status to improve the quality of cinnamon. I wish to request the exporters who are not following standards of international compliance and food safety methods to adhere to them to safeguard our position in the international market.

Speaking of contribution of spices to Sri Lanka's exports basket, Minister Bathiudeen said: "The spices and allied products sector has been identified as one of the potential sectors to achieve US $ 1 billion target in 2020 by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board under my Ministry. Also, the government has decided to increase its investments in minor crops to sustain the efforts of the Minor Export Crop Promotions Ministry. Further, the spices and allied products sector also contributes a considerable amount of foreign exchange to the national economy. During January-August 2011, the spice sector has recorded 25% growth, indicating export earnings of US $ 153 million compared to the same period in 2010. During the year 2010 too, the export earnings has accounted for US $ 165 million."

Inviting the industry to take part in the 2012 mega exports show, Minister Bathiudeen said: "The Export Development Board has taken initiatives to organize a mega exhibition "Sri Lanka Expo 2012" during March 28-30, at the BMICH.