More opportunities for industrialists:

EDB to increase annual income by 2015

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) aims to increase their annual income to US $15 billion by 2015 through apparel, tea, rubber products, gems, diamond, jewellery, ICT/BPO, food and beverages, and spices and allied sector exports, Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Rathnayake was addressing a press briefing on Sri Lanka EXPO 2012 held at the Economic Development Ministry under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.In the past the EDB has earned only US $ six billion and at present it had increased its income to US $ 11 billion.

There are 1,000 state sector exporters and 300 private exporters who have been involved in the export industry in Sri Lanka.

The Export Development Board is to give the opportunity to another 70 small industrialists to be involved with the EDB under the directions of Minister Rajapaksa, he added.

The Export Development Board which is under the purview of the Industry and Commerce Ministry, has taken the lead in organizing the the EXPO 2012 exhibition with the aim of promoting the country's economic development activities in trade, investment and tourism thereby achieving the targets set for the export sector.

EXPO 2012 is a mega trade, investment and tourism promotion initiative to be held from March 28 to 31 at the BMICH under the theme Partnering with the Hub of Asia with the participation of number of foreign countries including the UK and USA.

The exhibition comprises 350 stalls. Over 1,000 international buyers from key strategic markets are expected to attend the event. In addition reputed journalists and a few ministerial delegations will also be present.

Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagatha Pushpakumara, Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister Reginold Cooray and Plantation Industries acting Minister Earl Gunasekara were also at the press briefing.