Tea exports to be given a boost

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

A tea promotion center will be set up in Karachchi,Pakistan by middle of this year. Steps will be taken to increase tea exports to Pakistan.According to Plantation Industries Minister D.M Jayaratne, our tea reports have registered an increase of 2.6% as over the previous year's figure 23%.

A discussion with Export Development International Trade Minister G.L Peiris was held recently to seek ways and means of increasing market opportunities to gain foreign exchange.

Minister Peiries said Sri Lanka was producing quality tea and the cost of production has escalated resulting in high prices that have to be looked into to keep tea prices competitive.

Consequently, Kenya has found Pakistan to be a lucrative market with their tea exports reaching 70.22%.Pakistan has also purchased tea to the tune of US$ 200 million. Minister Jayaratne assured that a tea promotion centre would be set up in Karachchi stating that other countries will be given opportunities to promote tea in Pakistan.