'Forthcoming first maize shipment adds new commodity to our exports basket'

Formerly maize importing SL now sets an export target of 50000 MT by 2012 end Sri Lanka's latest export commodity, maize, will see its first shipment taking place on 22 May -and the maize exporter has set an ambitious target of 50000 metric tonnes by end of 2012.

Minister Bathiudeen

"My Ministry, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce under which the Sri Lanka Export Development Board functions, has set an ambitious national export target of $ 20 Billion by 2020, and we are now looking to further diversify of our exports basket. Interestingly, our GDP growth can continue to increase further not only with N&E production, but even new, innovative streams of agro production too.

The Yellow Maize produced in Sri Lanka is one such item holding new promise" said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce welcoming the latest addition to Sri Lanka's exports basket. Increasing demand for maize in the world market coupled with the strong human consumption in Africa has resulted in rising global maize prices and as a result, maize has become a major export crop for countries such as Uganda during the last few years. As for Sri Lanka, the forthcoming 22 May's export achievement is a result of the continuous agro sector assistance provided by the government to the farmers during the last six years.

Previously Sri Lanka was producing only 15% of its maize, almost all of which were yellow maize, needs within the country with the rest (85%) was met with imports from abroad. The latest initiative is set to directly benefit the maize farmers in Anuradhapura District. Minister Bathiudeen, in his 14 May special message on the forthcoming yellow maize export shipment on 22 May, adds, "I am given to understand that Wayamba Traders Company is exporting the first ever Sri Lankan maize shipment of 10000 metric tonnes to Taiwan and Canada which I believe will be a successful step towards our agro sector export diversification efforts."

Shahul Hameed Sadikeen, MD of Wayamba Traders Co., said, "The destinations of the later shipments will widen to the Gulf countries in addition to the current Taiwan, and Canadian markets. And by the end of this year we target export volume of 50000 metric tonnes."

Minister Bathiudeen added, "As we enter the new development era along with an economic upswing thanks to the visionary leadership of H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the untiring efforts of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, our Economic Development Minister, we witness the new agro production volumes from north and eastern regions too being added to the strong GDP growth thereby driving our exports further.