Exports up14% to US $ 7.34 b
Over 110 exporters and Chamber representatives were present at the
fifth National Exporters’ Forum in Colombo last week.
“According to the latest provisional EDB data, exports from January
to August 2014 have increased by 14.03% to US $ 7.34 billion. As
committed exporters, it is your valuable efforts that can help us, to
reach our target of US $ 20 billion exports, by 2020," Industry and
Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen told the fifth National Exporters
Forum.
It was organised by the Export Development Board (EDB).
Representatives from 50 companies and various Chambers, including
Hayleys, Expolanka, Enrich Tea, Earnst and Young, DSI, Nestle,
Acquamarine, and Printcare and chambers such as Ceylon Association of
Ships’ Agents, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of
Exporters, Planters Association, JAAF, Industry and Commerce Ministry
Secretary Anura Siriwardene, EDB Chairman Bandula Egodage, EDB Director
General Sujatha Weerakoone and top officials of the Industry and
Commerce Ministry were also present.
"Exports in August 2014, increased by 2.4%, to US $ 978 million
compared to US $955 million in July,” Minister Bathiudeen said.
According to the latest provisional data, this increase is seen
across all sectors. The increase in exports from January to August was
led by agricultural products at US $ 1.778 billion, an increase of
3.18%, manufacturing - US $1.623 billion - 2.5%, apparel increasing by
0.65% to $ 3.24 billion, industrial products - US $5.343 - 0.91%, Ceylon
Tea - US $ 1.07 billion an increase of 3.09%, coconut exports at US $356
million - 4.2%, and other export crops at $ 315 million, an increase of
4.7%.
Due to international rubber price decline, natural rubber exports
showed a decline. Almost one fourth of issues listed in the Exporters’
Forum agenda were resolved.
“The positive outcome is also a result of the approach adopted by the
EDB and our collective engagement and efforts,” he said. |