Two Lankans clinch global rubber glory

Daily FT - 30/10/2014

• Prof. Attanayaka and Lalan’s Hapangama win top awards at Global Rubber Conference

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen hands over the GRC Wickham Award 2014 to Chairman, Lalan Rubbers Lalith Hapangama (left) and DPSTG Attanayaka (who collected on behalf of the winner Prof. DPSTG Attanayaka) on 28 October in Colombo. Chairman and CEO of EDB Bandula Egodage and Chairman Confexhub Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, Dr. Abdul Aziz (far right) were also present

Two Sri Lankans won GRC Wickham awards at the Global Rubber Conference 2014 (GRC) held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on 28 October.

“At the next Global Rubber Conference, the knowledge received at today’s sessions should be reflected and evaluated. In such a background it is important for us to continuously review developments in all the closely related aspects and industries including the global economy and currencies as well,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said while speaking at the conference.

The GRC drew more than 250 delegates from 28 countries, including ASEAN, US, EU, East Asian and North Asian nations, and concluded yesterday.

This is the fourth GRC to be held and the first to be staged in Sri Lanka.

The GRC Wickham Award for Technology Innovation 2014 was awarded to Prof. DPSTG Attanayaka, who is presently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. He is also the Regional Secretary (Sri Lanka) of the Society for Advance Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO).

“During his career at the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, he contributed immensely to the natural rubber industry by improving productivity of rubber plantations. He also pioneered the incorporation of Molecular Breeding to rubber breeding and the selection program of the institute. He has more than 85 research articles to his credit,” the GRC organisers announced.

The GRC Wickham Award for Technology Commercialisation 2014 award was presented to Lalan Rubbers Chairman Lalith Hapangama.

“A pioneer in the rubber industry and a visionary entrepreneur, Hapangama is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of disposable, surgical, household, industrial gloves, rubber bands and rubber mattresses to 48 countries with seven offshore offices in four continents. His operation is a vertically integrated company with rubber plantations across 17000 acres with two centrifugal facilities. “He was singlehandedly able to establish Sri Lanka as a formidable competitor in the global market especially for gloves, exporting to the most renowned supermarkets in the world and supplying to automotive, aircraft, chemical, electronic, food and construction industrial brands, with his ability to provide livelihood to 15000 families,” the organisers stated.

Minister Bathiudeen said: “Today’s conference sessions have given all of us much food for thought and there was productive opinion-sharing during the sessions. More importantly, we are pleased with the commitment and interest shown by the international participants. Let me stress that sectors such as transport, health, chemicals and heavy machinery need to be watched. Also we need to closely watch currency exchange rates.”

The GRC Wickham Award was established in commemoration of Sir Henry Wickham. Sir Wickham brought rubber seeds from the Amazon jungles to the UK in 1876 and thereby introduced rubber to the world for the first time.

Sri Lanka attends ICC Conference on Global Economic recovery in Dhaka

Asian Tribune - 31/10/2014

The Export Development Board of Sri Lanka led a trade delegation from Sri Lanka to participate at the International Chamber of Commerce Conference on Global Economic Recovery which was held in Dhaka on 25-26th October 2014.

On the sidelines of the Conference, nine Sri Lankan companies included in the delegation participated in two Business Match-Making sessions with the members of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at two events on 27th October. The participating companies represented printed packaging products, garment and textile accessories, IT and education, food processing and electric cable sectors. The delegation also met with the senior officials of the Board of Investment of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

During their interactions with Bangladesh entrepreneurs, the members of the Sri Lankan business delegation expressed their keen interest to invest in suitable sectors of Bangladesh. Both sides agreed that despite sharing similar basket of export goods, there is a need to complement each other’s products than to compete against one another.

In addition to the Chamber interactions, the Export Development Board had organized separate Meeting sessions for the 12-member delegation with individual companies in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh. The Mission had also organized an interaction for the visiting delegation with the Sri Lankan entrepreneurs already established in Bangladesh on the evening of 26th October.

Global Rubber Conference 2014 kicks off in Colombo

Daily FT - 29/10/2014

The local rubber industry received much emphasis yesterday with the Global Rubber Conference (GRC) 2014 kicking off in Colombo.

The four-day event, which started on 27 October, is taking place for the fourth consecutive year.
The GRC is recognised to be one of the world’s leading conferences on natural rubber and NR-based products and is held on an annual basis rotating in different rubber-producing countries.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) and Confexhub with the support from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the event saw about 250 delegates from over 25 countries come together to discuss and get updated on the pertinent issues affecting the global rubber industry.

The conference aimed to fulfill five key objectives which are, to bring together regulatory authorities and commercial players of the rubber industry to provide updates on current trends and future challenges faced by NR industry, to facilitate the exchange of information and subsequently open up new turfs of business opportunities and expansion, to promote industry-wide investment opportunities in Pan Asia countries in general and the host country specific, to provide a platform for policymakers and association heads to discuss determining factors within the industry and to enable industry experts to communicate the latest R&D innovations.

While GRC 2014 was officially opened yesterday, on 27 October a pre-conference study tour was arranged to visit Lankem Crepe Rubber Processing Plant and Sloe Crepe Production Centre at Padukka Estate, Kotagala Rubber and Tea Plantations at Rayigam Estate and the Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute, the oldest in the world.

The technical sessions that will come to a close today included two keynote addresses on ‘Global Economic Growth Prospects and Commodity Markets’ by The World Bank (WB), USA, Senior Economist Dr. John Baffes and ‘Sri Lankan Government’s Policy on the Development of Rubber Based Product Manufacturing Industries’ by Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardena, along with technical sessions highlighting six key areas.

The six areas comprehensively deliberated were, ‘Global Rubber Situation and Prospects: Supply, Demand and Price Forecast for 2015’, ‘Defining Sustainability: The Game Changer for the Natural Rubber Sector’, ‘Enhancing Quality of Rubber Materials’, ‘New Dir3ections and Strategies for Sustainable Rubber Supply’, Tyre Industry: Market Outlook and Strategic Direction for Sustainable Development’ and ‘Directions of World Economic Forces on Dipped Goods Sector’. On 30 October the visiting delegates will be given the opportunity to visit the Rubber Auction Market which is the only one in the world. The GRC was incepted in 2005 as ASEAN Rubber Conference and was renamed in 2011 as the Global Rubber Conference. It has been held in seven ASEAN countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos PDR, and Malaysia and the last was held in Indonesia.

Sri Lanka has an impressive record in planting, production & export of rubber – President

Asian Tribune - 28/10/2014

Sri Lanka has an impressive record in the planting, production and export of rubber which is today the third largest sector to the country’s economy, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rubber is an important part of the country’s plantation sector and its contribution to agro-industry provides gainful employment to more than 300,000 persons making it a mainstay in the socio-economic aspects of the country, he added.

Sri Lankan Rubber and Rubber products have today earned worthy recognition for good quality and reliability in the international market, he stated.

The business-friendly environment that prevails in Sri Lanka today has great promise for the further development of the Rubber Industry, the President stated in his message issued for the Global Rubber Conference (GRC) 2014, inaugurated today (Oc. 27) at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Following is the full text of the message by President Rajapaksa;

“I am pleased to send this message on the occasion of the Global Rubber Conference 2014 being held in Colombo.

Sri Lanka has an impressive record in the planting, production and export of rubber which is today the third largest sector to the country’s economy. Rubber is an important part of the country’s plantation sector and its contribution to agro-industry provides gainful employment to more than 300,000 persons making it a mainstay in the socio-economic aspects of the country.

Sri Lankan Rubber and Rubber products have today earned worthy recognition for good quality and reliability in the international market. This success is largely due to the cooperation of the state and private sectors in the rubber industry, and the special role of multi-national companies operating in Sri Lanka in this sector.

The business-friendly environment that prevails in Sri Lanka today has great promise for the further development of the Rubber Industry. This is made possible by increased investment in infrastructure facilities, and the development of ports and highways that help open new opportunities to the business sector, both among the small and large investors.

International market trends give good indications of an excellent growth potential for the Rubber Industry with a rise in global demand for natural rubber. To help to meet this demand, the Government has taken several measures to modernize, streamline and increase rubber production in the country and encourage the maximum value addition to this important product of the plantation sector.

In this context the holding of this Global Rubber Conference - 2014 in Sri Lanka is most timely and of much value to the progress of this industry, through the exchange of knowledge and experience by those in the international rubber market who are able to analyze the emerging trends in the global rubber industry, and thus contribute to Sri Lanka’s potential for further advancement in this sector. It will also contribute much to attracting foreign investment to Sri Lanka in this well established area of agro-industry.

I commend the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and M/s Confexhub Sdn Bhd. of Malaysia, for organizing this event in Sri Lanka and also thank the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Plantation Industries and all other relevant stakeholders for their contributions to the holding of this event in Colombo.
I wish the Global Rubber Conference 2014 every success”.

The Conference which will be held until October 30 is co-organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) and supported by the International Rubber Research Development Board (IRRDB) and over 20 global Government agencies and associations.

The GRC 2014 is locally supported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Plantation Industries.

Global Rubber Conference 2014 themed “Sowing the Seeds for Sustainable Future” is expected to bring together over 500 experts and delegates including government officials, rubber producers & planters, traders, importers & exporters, manufacturers of rubber products, commodity and investment analysts, rubber machinery & equipment suppliers and their supporting industries representing over 25 countries.

They will converge at this event to discuss a wide spectrum of commercial and R&D developments, share experiences, get updated on the latest trend and technologies transformation at the same time strengthen friendship.

It will be addressed by 18 eminent guest speakers who represent Government agencies, rubber research bodies, rubber associations and commercial companies.

The conference aims to bring together both regulatory authorities and commercial players of the rubber world to provide updates on current trends and future challenges faced by the natural rubber industry.

Lanka’s top global FDI partner in yet another $ 1 b rollout

Daily FT - 28/10/2014

• Malaysia places Lankan SMEs as top priority
• Going up to $ 1 b: – Delegation Lead Abdullah
• Great news for our SMEs: Rishad
• We are moving to SA via Lanka: SME Factors’ Al Qudsy
• Lanka-Malaysia trade at $ 577 m

Sri Lanka’s largest global FDI partner Malaysia is mulling a new wave of incremental FDI totalling $ 1 b with an emphasis on SMEs.
It will become one of the largest-ever Private Public Partnership (PPP) ventures in Sri Lankan SMEs and the entry of biggest SME financier in Malaysia to Sri Lanka is the first step in their South Asian leap.
“We are thinking of another $ 1 billion portfolio in Sri Lanka in addition to the current investment portfolio here by EXIM Bank of Malaysia. SMEs are the priority sector in this new $ 1 b rollout while other sectors are also being mapped,” said Syed Zed Al Qudsy, President of SME Factors, Jalan, Malaysia on 15 October, addressing Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen at the EDB Building in Colombo.

Al Qudsy was a member of the visiting Malaysian business delegation that made a courtesy call on Bathiudeen. The delegation was led by Dato’ Latt Shariman Abdullah (Special Functions Officer to Malaysian Prime Minister and the Finance Minister).

“This is the first time that we have been invited to Sri Lanka and this invitation is by Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation Dr. Sarath Amunugama. I will be reporting back to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak of our successful tour to Sri Lanka,” said Abdullah.

He added: “The Malaysian business delegation I am leading now is of mostly financial sector consisting of Government as well as private sector firms. We are looking to partner with the financial sector, especially SME financing, and also mulling a new FDI incremental investment wave running up to $ 1 b in addition to what is here.”

Bathiudeen responded: “We warmly welcome your decision to enhance current FDIs to new levels. The National Enterprise Development Agency (NEDA) has been working to uplift the SME sector. This sector’s importance is recognised even by the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  SMEs are vital in many ways; they contributing more than 50% of our GDP. NEDA too reported that financing is a very critical issue. Your visit can help boost our bilateral trade too.”

In 2013, Sri Lanka-Malaysia bilateral trade totalled $ 577.66 m. The balance of trade has been heavily in favour of Malaysia due to high volume of imports of petroleum, palm oil and cement from Malaysia.
“We are a leader in SME financing in Malaysia, and the number one in SME receivable financing specifically. We have a proven track record in Malaysia. We intend to work with local partners in Sri Lanka and develop capacity with the objective of building the SME industry here. The sectors for the new $ 1 b rollout have to be mapped out in detail, since it’s still preliminary, but SMEs are priority. We need time to create the investment stories when we go into new territories. Operations-wise, we are in Malaysia but we have also gone to Thailand and Indonesia as well. SME Factors is also looking to expand with regional offices to South Asia and South East Asia, one important reason we are partnering here,” said Al Qudsy.
He added: “Such an expansion will boost business. We are coming to Sri Lanka with the hope and aspiration to partner and increase our presence. We have been supporting SMEs here already. In this next wave, we want to have an incremental investment running up to $ 1 b in addition to what has already been invested here. SME sector is the priority sector in this next $ 1 b new rollout and other sectors are being mapped. EXIM Bank of Malaysia is already partnering with SME Factors of Malaysia.”

Bathiudeen stated: “When it comes to Sri Lanka’s SMEs, it is the most neglected sector with regard to financing. As a result of lack of collaterals, they are continuously hampered and Lankan financial institutions too avoid them. In such a background, entry of firms such as yours can help our SME cash flows.”
Once the $ 1 b new investment from Malaysia comes in, it would become one of the largest-ever Private Public Partnership (PPP) ventures in the Lankan SME sector, which contributes more than 50% of Lankan GDP.

According to the Department of Commerce, the cumulative realised investment from Malaysia has surpassed $ 1.4 billion. Malaysia has become the number one investor in Sri Lanka and Dialog Axiata is the largest investor in Sri Lanka with over $ 1 billion realised investments.

In addition to Dialog, Maxis Berhard, Naratha Agro Industries, Wincon Development Ceylon Ltd., APPIT College and Merbok are among other Malaysian investment projects in Sri Lanka.

Jaffna IT Week to take IT/BPM sector north

Daily FT - 25/10/2014
By David Stephens

SLASSCOM Vice Chairman and Jaffna IT Week Convener Mano Sekaram addressing the media last evening. Also present from left: SLASSCOM Executive Director Dharshan Cooray, Emeritus Chairman Madu Ratnayake, SLEDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage, ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura and University of Jaffna Senior Lecturer Dr. A. Ramanan

The National IT/BPM Chamber, Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), in an effort to promote inclusive growth and reconciliation, will stage the Jaffna IT Week from 3-6 December at a number of venues across the region.

The Jaffna IT Week will comprise the Future Careers Program on 3 and 4 December at the Vembadi Girls’ High School, an IT/BPM Export Forum staged at the Tilko City Hotel on 5 December and the Jaffna IT Conference, which will be held at the Kailasapathy Auditorium of the University of Jaffna on 6 December.

Partnering SLASSCOM in this initiative are the Export Development Board (EDB), the Information and Communications Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), the Ministry of Education, the University of Jaffna and the Yarl IT Hub.

The event’s organisers seek to use it as a vehicle to transport the IT/BPM sector to the north of the country.
“It’s very important that we get access to the talent base and capabilities of the entire country. Even today, a large part of the IT workforce, although they are in Colombo, comes from all over the country. It is not simply concentrated in one part of the city. Our vision is to take business to other parts of the country and I think Jaffna is a very promising destination,” asserted Virtusa General Manage and SLASSCOM Chairman Madu Ratnayake.

“Some of the early entrepreneurs and technologies came from Jaffna University and that part of the country. So I’m very excited to go there and raise awareness and bring on board other partners,” he added.
99x Technology CEO and SLASSCOM Vice Chairman Mano Sekaram echoed these sentiments before going on to highlight the finer details and objectives of the individual programs within the entire project.
“Within the next five years, we want to see 50% of our IT/BPO companies moving out of Colombo. Inclusiveness is imperative because 95% of the IT/BPO companies are in Colombo but 80% of the workforce is from other regions,” he told the Daily FT.

Towards this end, Sekaram said three locations had been identified – Jaffna, Kandy and Hambantota. “Our industry can operate from anywhere as long as there is infrastructure. We need to be close to universities, have good infrastructure in relation to transport and telecom, and the living standards of our workforce must also be high. We are trying to promote this during Jaffna IT Week,” he added.

The Future Careers exhibition will be organised by SLASSCOM, ICTA and the Ministry of Education, while the IT/BPM Export Forum will be sponsored by EDB and ICTA. Proceedings will be brought to a close with the Jaffna IT Conference, an event which will bring together a number of preeminent personalities from the IT/BPM sector.

Sri Lanka represented at the largest SME Fair in the Asia Pacific region in Guangzhou

news.lk - 21/10/2014

Sri Lanka participated for the first time at the 11th edition of the China International SME Fair (CISMEF) in Guangzhou from 11 to 14 October 2014. The Sri Lanka Pavilion was jointly organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and had strong representation from business leaders of the SME sector, showcasing premium products from thrust export sectors such as gems and jewellery, tea and spices, handicrafts, handlooms and ayurvedic products.
Mrs. Sujatha Weerakoon, Director General of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, speaking at the opening of the Sri Lanka Pavilion pointed out that the Government’s numerous trade facilitation initiatives and President Xi Jinping’s recent State Visit to Sri Lanka have created new opportunities for even closer cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, particularly in trade and urged Sri Lanka companies present to maximize the opportunity to enter the attractive Chinese market.

CISMEF, the largest SME Fair in the Asia Pacific region is both a window for Chinese SMEs to learn about the world, and a bridge for the products and services of international SMEs to enter the Chinese market. This year Mexico was the co-host country; there were 560 overseas participants from 21 countries; 2714 Chinese booths and around 200,000 visitors.

Mrs. Weerakoon, addressing the International SME Development Seminar & Roundtable Conference held on 12 October highlighted the attractive business environment in Sri Lanka; the significant increase of Sri Lanka’s exports from US$ 6,000 million in 2005 to US$ 11,000 million in 2013 and SME Development initiatives by the Sri Lankan Government, noting that many large well known Sri Lankan companies started off as SMEs.

The Sri Lanka trade delegation also participated in the Sri Lanka- China Jewellery Forum organized on 13 October by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou; the Guangdong Institute of Diamonds, Jade & Jewellery and the Chamber of Commerce of Coloured Gemstones & Jewellery of Guangdong as well as in the Guangdong- Sri Lanka Enterprises Business meeting organized on 14 October by the Consulate General and the Guangdong Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Successful B2B meetings were held as a key part of both these events.

Mrs. Weerakoon met key officials of the Guangdong Commerce Department and the Guangdong CCPIT to explore further partnership opportunities in trade development.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the CISMEF Trade Fair is a landmark in establishing the presence of Sri Lanka’s premium trade products in Guangdong – China’s richest province.

First-ever on-water Boat Show a success

Daily FT - 18/10/2014

• 2013 boat exports surge by 46%
• Buyers and exhibitors from Korea, Maldives, Seychelles
• Improved standards: Minister Senaratne
• Value-added business: EDB’s Egodage

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa (second from left), Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Rajitha Senaratne (third from left) and EDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage at Boatshow 2014 on 10 October at Dickowita Harbour, Wattala

Colombo’s latest international boat show, which featured an on-water boat display for the first time, concluded successfully after a three-day run on 12 October.

“We have been talking about five hubs. Today there are two major milestones taking place at this event – the promotion of the maritime hub as well as our tourism,” said EDB Chairman and CEO Bandula Egodage, addressing the inauguration event of Boatshow 2014 on 10 October at Dickowita Harbour, Wattala.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa visits Boatshow 2014 on 10 October at Dickowita Harbour, Wattala

Taking part in the opening session were Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Rajitha Senaratne, EDB ED Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Chairman Neil Fernando, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Managing Director Gamini B. Herath, local and international delegates of International Council of Marine Industry Associations, ICOMIA Marinas Group Chairman Roberto Perochchio, ICOMIA Marinas Group Secretary Peter Jansen, local and international exhibitors at Boatshow2014 and buyers and boat experts from S. Korea, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Seychelles.

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa toured the Boatshow ’14 on 10 October. The one-day ‘Industry Conference on Marina Development and Marine Tourism in Sri Lanka’ was held on 12 October and that too concluded successfully.

“We have been talking about five hubs. Today there are two major milestones taking place at this event-promotion of the maritime hub as well as our tourism” said Bandula Egodage (Chairman & CEO of EDB), addressing the event, and added:
Egodage added: “Fishery contains tourism. This is the link between the Boatshow and ICOMIA effort. Non-traditional exports are the future. By doing this event, we hope to increase exports. Not just imports or exports but an increase in bilateral trade. Boat building is a value-added business, bilaterally. You are the experts and we need your help.”

Sri Lanka’s boat exports that stood at $ 56 m in 2012 increased by a strong 46% in 2013 to $ 82 m. In 2013, a market diversification study by the EDB identified that ships and boat exports were a “winning export category” in a growing global market. In this analysis “boat exports” also achieved the top slot among several such other promising exports of Sri Lanka.

“This event would facilitate manufacturers and fisheries suppliers to promote their products and services to a target audience in the international market,” said Minister of Fisheries Senaratne.

He added: “This would undoubtedly help to promote Sri Lanka as a main boating hub in South Asia while helping to develop this market by showcasing the latest products, technology, and services in this industry. Following Boatshow 2008, 2010 and 2102, I believe this show has further improved its standards with the participation of Bangladesh, Maldives, Seychelles, South Korea, Belgium, Netherlands and Norway.

Suppliers of leisure, pleasure, commercial and industrial and fishing vessels, materials, repairs, training and other service provision. A trend is evolving in the Western market to turn towards developing Fibre Enforced Plastic (FEP), especially for hull construction, which is mainly due to cost saving factor. I hope this Boatshow will be very helpful to meet this challenge.”

In Sri Lanka, more than 100 establishments are engaged in boat manufacturing; 15 of them are large scale, while 35 are medium to large scale companies. This sector also provides around 12,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities to Sri Lankans. More importantly, global ship and boat manufacturing is a promising exports sector.

Sri Lankan ICT companies at GITEX 2014 in Dubai

Daily FT/ 16/10/2014

Six Sri Lankan ICT companies, Brandix I3 Ltd., hSenid Software International, Microimage Ltd., Negete Ltd., Pyxle Ltd. and AP Lanka Ltd. are exhibiting their software products and services at ‘GITEX Technology Week’ from 12 to 16 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organised the country pavilion in coordination with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai.

The Sri Lankan ICT sector is aggressively looking for business opportunities on a global scale. Sri Lankan ICT companies are exporting software products and services to regions such as North America, the EU, Australia, East Asia, Middle East and Africa. Their core competencies include automated application testing, infrastructure outsourcing, high-end R&D, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), cloud technology, mobile applications and many other business solutions.

This year, there are 3,700 companies from 61 countries exhibiting under the show’s four knowledge themes: smart, cloud, big data and mobility.

The Gitex Technology Week 2014 sees the debut of a series of conferences catering to more than 100,000 information and communication technology professionals and 150 speakers. These conferences include Cloud Confex, Big Data Conference and Digital Strategies Forum.

Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, Abdul Raheem, met Sri Lankan participants at the Sri Lanka pavilion and also hosted a welcome dinner along with members of the Sri Lankan business community in Dubai. Sri Lanka Business Council Chairman Farook Kassim and other senior members attended the event.
Raheem said that Sri Lanka’s continuous participation at the GITEX exhibition will help Sri Lankan ICT companies to penetrate the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as Dubai is the gateway to this growing market.

US-SL trade talks conclude in Colombo

Daily FT - 16/10/2014

• GSP, labour, trade promotion among discussed items
• SL-US biz relationship at $ 3 b: Trade Rep Delaney
• US Ex-Im Bank renewing ties with Lanka: Rishad
• US biz team also in town, US-SL Biz Forum today
• YoY SL-US trade up by 21% to $2.8b

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (third from left) addresses the 11th Joint Council Meeting under the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement joined by SL Embassy in Washington DC Minister Counsellor Bandula Somasiri (far right), Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Prasad Kariyawasam (second from right), Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardena (fourth from right), DoC DG R.D.S. Kumararatne (fifth from right) and MoIC Additional Secretary Sheita Senaratne (sixth from right) and Minister (Commercial) at Lanka Embassy in US Bandula Somasiri (right)

Talks under the Sri Lanka and US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) concluded yesterday in Colombo, reiterating the commitment to foster greater bilateral economic engagement.
“The US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) is the premier dialogue for managing bilateral trade and investment relationship between both countries. This relationship amounts to $ 3 b” said Michael Delaney, the visiting Assistant United States Trade Representative for Central and South Asia yesterday in Colombo.

Delaney, who is leading a 10-member official delegation to Sri Lanka, was addressing the 11th Joint Council Meeting (JCM) under the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) at the Taj Samudra, Colombo.

Visiting Assistant United States Trade Representative for Central and South Asia Michael Delaney addresses the 11th Joint Council Meeting under the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement held at the Taj Samudra yesterday

Joining Trade Representative Delaney in his team were Andrew Mann (Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of US in Sri Lanka), Ann Zollner (Division Chief, Trade Policy and Negotiations, Bureau of International Labor Affairs/United States Department of Labour), Matthew Beh (South Asia Trade Officer/United States Department of State), Ryan Essman (Sri Lanka and Maldives Desk Officer/United States Department of State), John Michael Fleming (Commercial Consul/US Consulate General Chennai), Manimala Venkatram (Senior Commercial Specialist/US Consulate General Chennai), Jessica Slattery (Foreign Affairs Officer/US Department of State Office of International Labour Affairs), Kalpana Reddy (South Asia Intellectual Property Attaché/US Embassy New Delhi, India) and Allison V. Areias (Economic and Commercial Counsellor/Embassy of USA, Sri Lanka).

Joining the opening session were Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in USA Prasad Kariyawasam, DoC DG R.D.S. Kumararatne and EDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage.

The 15 October technical session was co-chaired by Trade Representative Delaney and Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardena). Twenty-seven delegates from the Sri Lankan side, including reps from the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Agriculture, Economic Development, Labour Relations, Civil Aviation, Petroleum Industries, Investment Promotion, Highways, Ports and Shipping, External Affairs and Finance and Planning, as well as Sri Lanka Customs, Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Tea Board, BoI and EDB were in attendance.

After the conclusion of the session, a joint message by both Sri Lanka and the US on the 11th United States and Sri Lanka TIFA Joint Council Meeting was issued, which stated:
“Senior officials from the Governments of the United States and Sri Lanka met today to continue their trade dialogue and evaluate progress under the United States-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The officials discussed a wide range of trade and investment issues including market access, the US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), labour, trade promotion efforts, intellectual property rights, agriculture, and sector-specific investment challenges. Progress on all of these trade and investment issues fosters economic growth, thus providing a strong foundation for inclusive economic development.

“The meeting marks the 11th session of the US-Sri Lanka TIFA Council. The US-Sri Lanka TIFA, signed in 2002, has been the primary forum for bilateral trade and investment discussions between the two countries. The TIFA process has been the focal point of a sustained and multi-faceted high-level engagement between the United States and Sri Lanka on trade and investment issues, including addressing impediments to greater trade and investment flows between the two countries.

“During the TIFA Council Meeting, both parties took note of progress made in the subcommittee working group on labour. The TIFA process encourages public and private sector dialogue and facilitates private-public partnership conferences, business opportunities, events and investment fora on the sidelines of TIFA official meetings. Following this tradition, the US-Sri Lanka Business Forum will be held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 16 October.”

At the morning’s opening session, Trade Representative Delaney said: “Being the premier dialogue channel, we attach considerable importance to the TIFA and in our view, over the years TIFA has proven that it has been successful in deepening our economic relationship. The US greatly values our trade and investment relationship with Sri Lanka. That relationship is responsible for a lot of beneficial things and is hundreds of years old. Today we in this room have been entrusted to manage this relationship and take the necessary measures that will enable it to continue to grow. Our economic relationship is about creating employment and prosperity for both our countries. We have accomplished much and we can do so much more. Today we have a diverse agenda of issues to work through and let address ourselves to this task, and grow our economic relationship.”

Bathiudeen, delivering his inaugural address at the morning session, said: “We are pleased that this is the fourth occasion Delaney is visiting Sri Lanka. It is with satisfaction that recall as to how you generated support of the US Government for Sri Lanka’s Conflict Affected Widows Project and facilitated a significant monetary contribution for project commencement, thereby uplifting their lives. I am happy to note that a US business and investment team is now in Colombo on the sidelines of TIFA talks. My Ministry will be hosting the US-Sri Lanka Business Forum in association with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and AMCHAM Colombo, followed by B2B meetings.

“Today’s senior officials’ meeting will cover many important aspects, thereby opening the door to jointly explore new opportunities in trade and investment. TIFA has become a very effective mechanism for the two governments to advance trade and investment interests, since it began in 2002. As Sri Lanka takes on a journey to become the economic hub of South Asia, it is clear that TIFA’s importance will continue to grow.
“Thanks to the visionary leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka is now on a journey to become an upper middle income country in the near future. Sri Lanka is reporting stronger GDP growth and modern infrastructure facilities, as well as a better positioning to become the economic hub of South Asia. Due to our strategic location, the proposed five hubs plus tourism strategy, the new port and airport infrastructures, and our connectivity, our international trade is improving.

“As for bilateral trade, the US is the single largest buyer of our exports since 1979. Seen from our side, bilateral trade between both countries increased by a strong 21% to 2.8 billion dollars in 2013, compared to 2012; the US absorbs 23% of Sri Lanka’s annual total exports, of which 73% comes from high-end apparels. Sri Lanka also has the most liberal investment climate in South Asia. According to the Washington-based Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom of this year also, Sri Lanka has maintained its commanding position as the most economically-free nation in South Asia.

“The US is an important source of Foreign Direct Investments to Sri Lanka. So far there have been more than 220 US investment projects to the value of around $ 400 million. Speaking of investments, I understand that the US Export Import Bank has renewed its partnership with Sri Lanka after almost a decade. Through its facilitation, a US company has invested $ 65 million in a water supply project in Badulla District. I invite other US investors to make use of Export Import Bank’s benchmark initiative for infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka Pavilion at Gardex / IFEX 2014 on Oct. 15-17 in Japan

news.lk - 15/10/2014

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, has organized a Sri Lanka Pavilion at the Gardex / IFEX 2014 International Garden Exhibition from October 15 to 17 in Japan.

Eight (08) leading Sri Lankan exporting companies from Coconut Based Substrate and a leading Foliage and Live Plants exporter exhibits at this event.

The Sri Lanka Country Pavilion showcases the following range of products during the event:

Coco peat grow bags
Coco peat planter bags
Coco peat bales, disks and briquette
Coir mattings
Coir pots and decorative Coconut shell pots
Cut foliage and potted plants
Japan is one of the main destinations for Coconut based substrate other than the EU countries and it shows a huge potential for further expansion through the demand created with their intensive farming systems.

Sri Lanka Export Development Board has organized Sri Lanka's participation at Gardex 2014 targeting Coconut based substrate, Cut foliage and potted plants.  This exhibition is targeting entire Gardening industry including Gardening Equipment, Floriculture and Gardening inputs.

Since this show is very popular in all other Asian countries such as Korea and China which are the other main target markets for Sri Lankan products, the participants could establish business linkages with these countries by participating at this event.

56% of export target achieved: Rishad

Daily FT - 08/10/2014

• Jan-Aug exports bring Lanka closer to ’14 target

With latest January-August export totals, Sri Lanka has clinched 56% of annual export target for 2014 while the spice sector has returned, as revealed on 3 October. Meanwhile, the spice industry is full of praise for the Government for the assistance lent to the sector’s development.

“By end of this August we have already achieved 56% of our annual national export target for year 2013. Thanks to you, the committed spice and other product exporters, we are able to move towards our overall $ 20 b target now,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 3 October in Colombo.
Bathiudeen was addressing the 11th Annual General Meeting of The Spice Council (TSC) at the Taj Samudra Hotel.  Also present on the occasion were Minister of Minor Export Crop Promotion Reginald Cooray, DoC DG R.D.S. Kumararatne, EDB DG Sujatha Weerakoone, The Spice Council Chairman Nanda Kohona, founder Chairman of the Spice Council of Sri Lanka Sarada De Silva, top officials of EDB and many leading members of Sri Lanka’s spice industry.


The AGM featured many speeches, analyses and presentations of the sector by members of the spice industry.

“The strong performance of minor export crops has returned in 2103 after a decline in 2012. The production of cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cocoa, etc recorded a growth in 2013,” said Bathiudeen. “Even cashew production has increased in 2013, helping our exports. Spices are also the biggest item in our overall six-item basket of ‘export crops’; 45% of the $ 315 m export crop values in 2013 was claimed by spice exports. I am pleased to inform you that the 2014 January-July spice exports stood at $ 143 m.

Commenting further, Bathiudeen said: “When it comes to exports I am pleased to say that according to the latest provisional data by EDB, January to August 2014 exports have increased by 14.03% to $7.34 b, in comparison to 2013 January-August exports. Even provisional monthly exports for August 2014, have increased by 2.4% to $ 978 m from July 2014’s $955 m. What this means is that, by end of this August, we have already achieved 56% of our annual national export target for year 2013. Thanks to you, the committed spice and other product exporters, and industry representatives, we are able to move towards our overall target of $ 20 b exports by 2020, under the committed vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“There is no doubt, that Ceylon spices have strong potential in the global premium markets. In view of this, My Ministry has, taken many important initiatives, to enhance the spice sector. Firstly, at a cost of $ 42,000, we have enlisted 28 companies, including several spice companies, and are supporting them to obtain, ISO 22000 certification within this year. The full certification, charges for, every selected company, will be paid by us. Secondly, we also submitted a proposal to the value of $153,000 to the Treasury to support, Spice industry value addition, for medium scale spice industries of Sri Lanka starting 2015. Thirdly, the important project ‘Enhancing the cinnamon value chain in Sri Lanka’ implemented through the Spice Council at a cost of, $ 830,000, with support of WTO, this project is one of the biggest projects by us to upgrade Sri Lanka’s spice industry. It will facilitate the industry to obtain ISO 22000, and HACCP certifications.

“In addition, the project will support the EDB to protect the national Pure Ceylon Cinnamon trademark through a Geographic Indication scheme in the international markets. We thank the WTO for this support. The Spice Council’s vision is to make Sri Lanka to be within the top five branded and value added Spices and Allied Product marketers in the world. I am pleased to say that not only the Spice Council but all line Ministries, agencies, and the industry too call for the same and we extend our maximum support in this regard.”

Sri Lanka’s total spice exports which stood at $115 m in 2009 tripled to $329 m by 2013.
Addressing the session, Immediate Past President and founder Chairman of the Spice Council of Sri Lanka Sarada De Silva said: “From 2008-2013, the spice sector has been growing by 3% per annum and its value added sub-sectors such as oleoresins, cinnamon oils are growing by as much as 15% annually. Here lies the opportunity for us! Value addition and planning is the way forward for this sector. We branded our cinnamon with the launch of the Lion Logo by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The industry looks forward to GI Indication of Cinnamon in the EU. Minister Bathiudeen, your Ministry, along with the EDB and Secretary Anura Siriwardene, are working hard for the development of this sector for which we express our thanks and also pledge our fullest support.”

Announcing his intentions to retire, Sarada De Silva said: “On a very personal note, I have been involved in the spice sector in general and in cinnamon industry in particular, for the last 40 years. I am retiring from all day-to-day activities and executive duties. I believe that I have earned my well-deserved rest.”

Boat Show 2014 to take centre stage in October

Daily News - 06/10/2014
By Indunil Hewage

South Asia’s premier boat show and fisheries exhibition, ‘Boat Show 2014’ organized by Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI), Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services will take centre stage from October 10-12, 2014 at the Dickowita Fisheries Harbour under the theme ‘Promotion of Leisure Boating in Sri Lanka’

The main objective of the event is to attract buyers from all corners of the globe, while positioning Sri Lanka as the hub for the industry in South Asia and to develop a forum between buyers and sellers to facilitate industry growth.

The exhibition has been designed to provide an even larger and more diverse show for enthusiasts and industry professionals from India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Singapore, South Korea,China, Germany, Netherlands, UK and USA. The event will see the participation of over 30 delegates and boating and marina business specialists who will share knowledge and expertise.

The main feature of this year’s event will be the meeting of the International Marina Group of the ICOMIA, concentrating on the promotion of marina development and the development of leisure boating tourism.

Specific sections on exhibition will include segments for boat builders, life rafts, fishing boats and equipment, water sports equipment and accessories, outboard engine parts and services and boat interiors. The total exhibition will cover over 44 wide facets of the industry in terms of both industrial and recreational fishery as well as boating and leisure.

Matching global construction standards vital for country’s progress: Rishad

Daily FT - 04/10/2014

• Six construction exhibitions open at BMICH
• Sub-sector grows by 14.4%
• Construction sector 7.3% of GDP

Sri Lanka’s surging construction sector is not only an indicator of economic health, but also an integrator of an important economic layer, meaning that following international standards in the construction sector could help the country’s ‘Hub Status’ journey, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said yesterday.

“The construction sector claims only 7.3% of our GDP. However, the sector is much more important than these numbers would indicate. There is a strong SME presence in this sub-sector,” the minister expressed.
Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the International Exhibition on Windows and Doors, Aluminium Extrusion, Roofing and Façade, Glass and the 2nd International Exhibition on Sri Lanka Wood at BMICH.

The event, organised by Futurex, was endorsed by the Ministry of industry and Commerce along with many private sector co-sponsors and associate partners. Joining Minister Bathiudeen at the occasion were Industrial Development Board Chairman Nawaz Rajabdeen, Futurex Group Managing Director Prem Anveshi, EDB Chairman and CEO Bandula Egodage and reps from sponsors JAT Holdings, Alumex, and Leitz Tooling.

Bathiudeen asserted that the construction sector was vital for two reasons.

“Firstly, the construction industry has become the clearest sign of the new economic growth phase, thanks to the committed vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in that the immediate proof of our strong economic growth can be seen from construction sector activities,” he said.

“The second reason for its importance is that there is a strong SME presence in this sub-sector. As you may already be aware, more than 65% of our economy is made up of the SME sector. SMEs therefore are our economic driver. Therefore I do not have to tell you of the, importance of it to our economic growth and employment generation.

“This is one reason, why we should pay close attention to our construction sector at all times. Therefore, I and my ministry take pride in endorsing this important initiative, which not only supports the construction sector but also our SMEs. The construction sector becomes ever more important as we aim to become the economic hub of Asia. In other words in the new international phase of the country, our construction sector development too needs to be on par with international designs and innovations for us to achieve the hub status.

“It is here, that today’s inauguration of not just one but six international exhibitions and a forum, all at the same time, becomes an industry and an exhibition milestone that we should commend. Wood, glass, aluminium, roofing, windows and doors are all familiar items in our lives. But today all these are seen at an international level display here. More importantly, I have been given to understand that, this is one of the most prominent international exhibition platforms in Colombo for these sub-sectors. Since electrical equipment too is an important construction component similar to glass and aluminium, I am positive that one day in the future, we will be able to witness this sub-sector being added to this series of exhibitions.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce through its SME arm, the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), has allocated more than $ 270,000 for various SME initiatives for 2014.

“Exhibitions such as these help the SMEs most unlike for the rich who have resources to fly out and import technology” said Prem Anveshi (Managing Director, Futurex Group) addressing the event, and added: “For SMEs such finances are not possible and international exhibitions held in their own country, such as these, they are able to see with their own eyes the new technology. That is where the revolution takes place.”
According to the Central Bank, in 2013, the construction sub sector grew by 14.4%, driven by highways, rail & road development projects, mega hotel projects, condominiums and housing units

Russia opens seafood market for Lankans

Daily News - 03/10/2014

Sri Lankan seafood exporters have been invited by Russia to export to the country giving a major boost to the industry.

Russia's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alexendra Karchava speaking at the Russia Sri Lanka Business Council AGM and a meeting with Sri Lankan seafood exporters said in current political and economic context, Russia is seeking to diversify its food items market and reorient it from European countries by reaching towards new suppliers in new regions, particularly, in Asia.

"Sri Lanka's companies receive wide opportunities to enter the Russian food market and therefore to boost bilateral trade," he said.

Bilateral trade between Russia and Sri Lanka has been increasing over the years, and Sri Lanka's exports to Russia grew from US$ 11.6 million in 2001 to US$ 279.91 million in 2013. 'Sri Lanka's imports from Russia rose from US$ 3.7 million to US$ 145 million during the same period." The trade has now reached the US$ half a billion mark," he said speaking at the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council AGM (SLRBC).

President elect SLRBC, Hiran Karunaratne said there is continued interest from Russian industrialists and investors in the potentiaity of the growing economy that Sri Lanka offers.

"A number of visits and meetings have been facilitated by the Council in recent months concerning opportunities in the different spheres of industry, tourism and trade."

"The Council has had preliminary talks with some retail chains in Russia regarding the possibility of supplying seafood and fresh fruit and vegetables from Sri Lanka. The retailers have requested detailed information on the products, available volumes, production capacity, seasonality, lead times. The Council requests interested companies to make their commercial offers.