Mega export exhibition in Colombo

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Export Development Board (EDB) intends to hold a mega export exhibition next year in Colombo, Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Badiudeen said.The exhibition will introduce Sri Lanka's export items to foreign countries and expand the country's export business, according to Minister Badiudeen.

Sri Lanka's exports have increased by a considerable level over the previous years'. According to Central Bank of Sri Lanka statistics, the country exported USD 8.3 million worth of items last year, the Minister said.

This is an increase of 17.3 percent over the 2009 exports.Minister Badiudeen expressed confidence that Lankan exports can be increased to USD 20 billion by 2020. Exhibitions of this nature will help achieve this goal.

"The five-year plan prepared by the EDB will also help our exports. Our export sector will also help achieve President Mahinda Rajapaksa's goal of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia, Minister Badiudeen said.