Apparel industry set to meet targets

By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Government support for the apparel industry has enabled the sector to perform well and industrialists are confident of reaching the target set for earning foreign exchange within the alloted time frame.

Asiri Perera

"We appreciate the efforts of the Government in developing the apparel sector as a thrust industry in the economy and looking forward to continued support in redressing issues that hamper the sectoral progress," Flying Apparels (Pvt) Ltd, Managing Director, Asiri Perera told Sunday Observer Business.

The initiatives taken have benefitted stakeholders thus enabling the country to sustain and increase the level of income from apparel exports.

The measures taken to uplift garment industry standards and related infrastructure development has been the key factors in the apparel industry's forward march, he said.

The dignity and respect of the garment workers have been ensured thus making it a lucrative career path. Many youth are engaged in the industry and this sector has developed a unique culture that is accepted in society today.

There are plans to set up more factories in the Northern and the Eastern parts of the country that will fuel the current export growth despite strong competition from emerging global players.

"We are grateful to the Government as it has encouraged the apparel sector stakeholders through its policy measures.

This will have a lasting impact on generating more foreign exchange to make Sri Lanka an undisputed leader in the global market, he said.

Flying Apparel commenced operations in 1997 as a BOI approved company to export finished goods to London under 16 labels.

It exports women's garments including blouses, dresses, pants and fashionable garments to Australia, Germany and America. Together with the parent company, Dilan Garments (Pvt) Ltd, the venture has provided employment opportunities for 600 people while meeting the gradual increase in demand from foreign buyers.