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| Sunday, 10 March 2002 |
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Strategy to get the best out of int'l fairs by SUREKHA GALAGODA The future strategy of the Export Development Board (EDB) will be to send selected participants to selected fairs and exhibitions where the country and the exporter can get the maximum benefit, said Chairman EDB Ratna Sivaratnam. EDB will target some of the largest international fairs and exhibitions to expose the Sri Lankan exporters where they can get orders as well as gather new knowledge. "More spade work will be done before we send the participants to ensure maximum utilisation of resources," he added. At present 15 apparel manufacturers are displaying and marketing their products in Paris at buyer-seller meetings in an effort to expand their businesses. They are expected to proceed to London after the meetings in Paris. The meetings have been specially arranged for Sri Lanka. Some of the companies participating at these meetings are Hirdaramani Group of Companies, Viking Fashions, Exotic Collection, Aitken Spence Garments and Samson Exports. Another delegation of 35 members led by Ms P. Sumathiarachchi is in USA to promote the export of our apparels. Some of these companies are Bernard Boteju, Daya Apparels, Favourite Garments, Milano Garments, Marie De Classique and Shadowline. They are also scheduled to visit Canada on a similar exercise, said Mr Sivaratnam. Facilities on the ground are being handled by the Commonwealth Secretariat while some exporters were supported by the EDB. The export and marketing programme is expected to enhance the volume of business for Sri Lanka in Europe and USA, he added. Explaining his strategy, Mr Sivaratnam said: "We have to be competitive in respect of quality and price to compete in the world market. Therefore, the EDB has decided to identify thrust sectors for development to get the maximum benefit". Exporters of primary products such as tea, rubber and coconut and secondary products such as spices, fruits and vegetables, cut flowers and tropical fish are facing severe competition in the international market at present. "Therefore, my goal would be to add value to our exports and to move on the lines of backward integration. This will help the socio-economic base of the country, creating employment opportunities and giving a better life for the rural masses," he added. The Export Production Village (EPV) in Dambadeniya, promoted by the EDB, now assists 1500 producer shareholders. They are engaged in the manufacture of reedware boxes which are used for packing tea. The EPV is a very good concept where producers become shareholders of a legally constituted company. This concept provides for harnessing of raw material available in the area, while providing employment opportunities. They will also get their share of the company profits at the end of the year similar to shareholders of any other company, he said. He said: "Manufacturing of such products will be broadbased in economic zones identified by the government. It will ease unemployment and also prevent migration of labour to urban areas." "I am now concentrating on inculcating a private sector approach to the EPV concept by linking them directly with the private sector. This would bring the producer shareholders and buying companies to the same table for the benefit of both parties," said Mr Sivaratnam. |
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