CIP passports for exporters

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The Immigration and Emigration Department will take measures to issue a special passport for exporters and local investors to support them to contribute more to the national economy.

The National Exporters Association's proposal to provide a Commercially Important Person (CIP) passport will come in to effect shortly. This move will facilitate the process of visa and travel more easily, National Chamber of Exporters Immediate Past President Sarath De Silva told Daily News Business.

The department will issue different coloured passports with more pages for both exporters and investors for better recognition by any Immigration authorities in any part of the world, he said.

As Immigration authorities world over communicate details of the travellers, having a special passport will cater to speedy action and avoid unnecessary delays.

Sri Lanka received negative publicity due to the three decade war and world Immigration authorities exercise caution with regard to Sri Lankan passports. The move to issue special passports for exporters and investors will also support the target to achieve US $ 20 billion exports by 2020, De Silva said.