Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by Ananda Kannangara

At a time when the government is extending its fullest co-operation and encouragement to improve the local garment manufacturing sector, it is the sole responsibility of all sections, involved in the field to reap the maximum benefit of this advantage, Past Chairman, Sri Lanka Garment Buying Association Turney Mohamed said.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of the "Garment Times Show", the only annual apparel exhibition in the country at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC).

Mohamed called upon manufacturers to use all available resources to develop the local garment sector considering the country's economy as well as the huge number of persons engaged in the industry.

"Our garment sector is yet to be improved when compared to several other leading manufacturers in the region," he said.

He said that 80 per cent of our garment exports are still handled by only 15 per cent top apparel industrialists and this should be increased in the coming years.

The exhibition was patronised by 150 international buyers and local buying office representatives. Around 100 stalls belonging to local garment manufacturers exhibited their products including ready-made garments and other products to encourage foreign buyers to place orders.

Machinery, accessories and other equipment used in the garment manufacturing sector to produce quality garments were also on display.

Mohamed said that steps must also be taken to expand the industry by helping small scale garment manufacturers to upgrade their business, so that we can supply our products to buyers continuously. "According to statistics nearly 350,000 Sri Lankans obtained direct employment opportunities in the industry with at least one million dependents," he said.

Chief Executive, S.D. Publications (Pvt) Ltd (The publisher of Garment Times Magazine) Sujith Gunawardana said that the apparel industry has contributed immensely to the country's economy and around 50 per cent in foreign exchange comes to Sri Lanka from readymade garments.

"Conducting exhibitions annually will not only swell the country's economy, but also the entire garment manufacturers and suppliers of fabrics, machinery and accessories," he said.

He said the purpose of holding this exhibition for the third consecutive year was to show international buyers the development of the Sri Lankan garment industry through the manufacturers' exhibits, seminars and also fashion shows.

| News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security |
| Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries | Junior Observer |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.