SLAEA holds AGM

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Rohan Abeykoon

Apparel exporters would have to see off increased competition from low cost manufacturing bases benefiting from bilateral and multinational agreements to sustain and grow, Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters' Association (SLAEA) President Rohan Abeykoon said. Speaking at the annual general meeting at Cinnamon Grand Hotel on Monday, he said it should be done by continuing to evolve to meet the ever changing market dynamics such as green initiatives, developing a brand culture, multi seasonal apparel, differentiation and innovation, fast fashion capabilities, penetration to new emerging markets and logistic and hub services.

Referring to one of the initiatives explored titled the Turkey model which has been identified as one that Sri Lanka needs to look to evolve into given the success he said that country is enjoying in terms of market share in spite of cost being exorbitantly higher than in Sri Lanka.

He said the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association continue to engage with the government through various proposals to be included in the budget using relations with conducive nations to get increased market access on special terms looking at exchange rates while being sensitive to the increase in the cost of living not disregarding export competitiveness.

Also it includes aspirations to be a regional hub for various economic sectors including the apparel sector, to create a skill advancement fund covering the total solution process of the industry.