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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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National policy vital for export development by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka has stressed the need for a national policy for export development. Although Export Development Board (EDB) had concluded an exercise in formulating a national export strategy, national policy for export development has not been implemented upto date, says NCE President Kingsley Bernard. He was re-elected President of the NCE of Sri Lanka at its 10th annual general meeting recently. Bernard believes that the tsunami devastation may not affect Sri lanka's export market except the fruit and vegetable market with the Maldives which was successfully operating during the last few years. In an exclusive interview with 'Sunday Observer' Business he said that any meaningful program for export development should be launched with the participation of all sectors of the economy. "What is urgently required as a matter of national importance is an integrated approach to export development, through a professionally designed national export development plan within the framework of national policy for trade development. This should hold good for at least a decade with the provision for quick contingency arrangements capable of responding to global trends which could in return have its impact on Sri Lankan Commerce, he added. He said that export earnings in the first ten months of 2004 had increased by 12 per cent. Industrial exports dominated by textiles and garments contributed mainly to the overall growth. The export earnings from textile and garments increased by 9 per cent in terms of US$ in the first ten months of 2004 over exports in the same period in 2003, reflecting a higher performance in all plantation crops. Exports of tea, rubber and coconut registered a healthy growth of 7, 46 and 32 per cent respectively in the first ten months of 2004. The export of rubber benefited from the supply shortage in the world market arising from the adverse weather conditions which prevailed in rubber producing countries and the growing demand for natural rubber in the international market. He said that the challenge faced now was whether Sri Lanka could maintain or improve its export growth in the year 2005. Bernard emphasised that Sri Lanka had no option other than to become integrated to the global economy - more than before. He said that technological advances and competition were the main features in today's rapidly changing world economy where knowledge was a crucial prerequisite. In order to successfully face these challenges, the government and the private sector should devise strategies and create a corporate culture which could take advantage of the growing opportunities presented by the international environment. "In order to do this, the country's internal environment needs to be conducive for private sector companies to enter the global value chain network, develop educational resources and undertake innovative strategies to enhance competitiveness. The crucial factor in Sri Lanka's growth performance and that of exports will be a supportive policy environment," he added. |
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