Lanka textiles pushing beyond ODM ranks,

Encouraged by world’s third largest retailer TESCO’s direct sourcing as well as recent backing from the Government of India for its revival, Sri Lanka’s textile and handloom sphere is now stepping beyond its ‘ODM supplier tag’ in the global market. From January to September this year, Sri Lanka exported $ 2,789 million of apparels. This is a 16 % increase compared to 2008 exports in the same months.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the event

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has progressed from its origins to the ODM stage (original design manufacturing) and is now striving to stamp its seal as an OEM supplier to the world market. Sri Lanka’s hand-loom industry is estimated to be around $ 13 mn annually, and the high level Textile Task-force of the Ministry of Industry & Commerce is pushing to upgrade the historic segment towards the ODM stage.

Kalainie Alexander, Manager (Showroom) of Selyn Ltd, a fair–trade certified exporting firm of hand-loom products taking part in the event as an exhibitor, said: “We have been taking part in this even for the last few years.

I believe that support for domestic producers to be fair trade certified will help enhance our international branding. We have seen 40 % increases in our export revenues after receiving our fair trade certification.” Selyn produces 100 % natural cotton fabrics that are then used to make export standard toys, childcare accessories, and decorative items among others.

“Our hand-loom, power loom and textile sectors have now been re-awakened” said Seetha Yahampath, Managing Director of Kandygs Handlooms Ltd. “We commend the 2012 Budget’s initiative to remove import tax on yarn imports which helped all local hand-loom and textile producers greatly. In fact, as a result, we (Kandygs) managed to hit our export revenue target of annual 10 % this year too and managed to overcome global recession effects.”

“This year is a milestone year for Sri Lanka’s textiles and apparel industries. We already exported $ 2,789 million apparels by last September. I stress that this national event, the first expanded national textile exhibition in Sri Lanka is set to grow further towards a regional event in future,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka. The event was inaugurated by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.