|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 1 June 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Technical training for engineering plastic product manufacturers by Elmo Leonard Exports of engineering plastic products such as machinery parts and components are on the rise and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) intends choosing 10 promising local manufacturers of such products for technical training in India. The EDB-funded study would be conducted by Central Institute of Plastic Engineering Technology (CIPET), Chennai, which is up to date in plastic technology. Products worth US$ 39 million were exported in 2002, a rise from the US$ 36 million exports in 2001 and US$ 32.7 million in 1999. The plastic industry comprises two sectors - engineering products and household plastic ware such as cups and bowls. Eight local plastic ware exporters participated in the fifth International Plastic India 2003 Exhibition and Conference in New Delhi in February. This was the first time Sri Lanka had participated in this event, which was attended by buyers and sellers from Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Gulf States, the UK and USA. Participants were also afforded the chance of attending the technical and trade sessions on plastics, EDB Assistant Director, Prasanna Jayasinghe said. In 2002, 120 tonnes of plastic were processed for 232 companies engaged in the plastic industry. According to CIPET, the plastics and polymers industry in developing countries is growing at an average rate of 10-15 per cent and the consumption of different plastic materials is rising for numerous applications ranging from consumer to industrial automotive and hi-tech engineering products. CIPET also said that technical personnel and executives of plastic industries should be trained from time to time to improve and upgrade their skills and technical know-how, to sustain the ongoing growth trend. Since the plastic processing and tooling industries are growing in numbers in developing countries, the competition on quality and cost requirements have also increased. To compete with strict quality and cost requirements in a post-WTO scenario, it is essential for the plastic industries to have skilled and technically trained manpower at all levels. Jayasinghe said the proposed programme would cost the EDB US$ 375 per participant and would be designed to meet the objectives of improving the skills and technical know-how of the participants, which would enable them to increase the efficiency, productivity and quality of products in their areas. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
