Apparel export companies salute Ocean Lanka

Ocean Lanka, a joint-effort between Fountain Set (Holdings) Ltd, Brandix and Hirdaramani groups, celebrate 10 years in existence, while the export apparel industry saluted the company as a backward integrator.

Backward integration adds to WTO norm of export preference, conforming to country of origin status. Ocean Lanka chairman, Ha Chung Fong said that the enterprise was the first overseas knitted fabric production facility set up outside China, in Sri Lanka, being housed in the Biyagama free trade zone. Ha, also acknowledged the part played by Mast Industries, as a customer, at its initial stage.

Chairman Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) Lakshman Watawala said that Ocean Lanka was the first textile manufacturing company to come to Sri Lanka, being the largest, and, adding to backward integration of the nation's apparel industry, paving the way for others to come in.

Ha described Sri Lanka as a country full of opportunities and potential, with its excellent location and stable raw material supply. "With its excellent location and stable raw material supply, the textile industry should be able to grow rapidly, Ha said. Ocean Lanka announced that their monthly production capacity had increased to over 2.4 million pounds, from 300 pounds capacity per month, at inception.

Today, Ocean Lanka counts over 1,300 experienced employees, having started with 170 employees. Ocean Lanka has developed enormously with the diversified scope of business including fabric knitting and fabric dyeing, providing high quality knitted fabrics to local garment manufacturers that supply to internationally renowned retail brands. And the fabrics are well received by customers Ha said.

(EL)