EDB chairman tells exporters:

consider CEPA opportunities

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

lalin @sundayobserver.lk

Sri Lankan exporters should consider the opportunities in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and compete in the Indian market, said Chairman, Export Development Board (EDB), Anil Koswatte.

He said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India has many advantages for Sri Lankan exporters which they should exploit and be ahead of competitors. Exporters should be confident of their capabilities and market quality products.

Koswatte who assumed duties last week said the EDB will set up a Market Research Unit shortly to provide training,conduct market research, product development and promote environment friendly products.

"The Market Research Unit will help to update the knowledge and information on global changes and help the export community to develop the supply base," he said. Setting up a one-stop shop to assist SME sector exporters is a priority among other export development activities which are in the pipeline for the year.

"Exporters will be able to attend to the procedural requirements under one roof and export on time", Koswatte said. Discussions are being held on the need to make maximum use of the FTAs and also enter into an agreement with Bangladesh shortly. Regional cooperation is vital to promote trade. We should make good use of the SAARC Chairmanship to promote trade.

He said e-commerce is becoming increasingly important to develop trade.The EDB has recognised the need to develop e-commerce activities and help exporters to keep pace with the advancement.

The EDB has planned to open an office in Ampara to provide advisory services and assist exporters to make maximum use of the resources in the province.

"There are many opportunities in the province to develop exports.

The people in the Eastern province are being supported by the Nagena Hira Navodhya program", he said.

The Chairman said he would ensure that trade promotion activities will have a positive impact on the export sector and that it will not be a waste of public funds.

The export sector which registered a positive growth of 8.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent in 2006 and 2007 continued its upward trend during the first half of this year by recording a substantial growth of 9.83 per cent.

The positive performance by the export sector is reflected in all major categories of exports. Export earnings from agricultural exports which accounted for 22 per cent of the total export earnings recorded an impressive growth of 33 per cent due to the significant performance of tea, rubber and other export crops.Export of coconut products declined by 16 per cent during the first half of this year. Export earnings from the fisheries sector increased by 0.17 per cent this year. Industrial exports which accounted for 74 per cent of exports increased by 4.5 per cent during the first half of this year. Koswatte said the EDB expects to achieve an export revenue of US$ 8,600 million this year, a 12 per cent growth compared to last year. Export earnings last year were US$ 7700 million, a 12 per cent increase against 2006.

Around 4,600 exporters send around 3,000 products to 150 destinations. Sixty mega exporters contribute over 50 per cent of the export earnings.

The EDB plans to set up an Advisory Committee comprising leading exporters to develop and promote trade.