Sri Lanka's Jan-Aug exports top $ 6.9 b

Sri Lanka's export earnings from January to August 2011 increased to $ 6.9 b ($ 6,966 m), a 28.6 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2010, according to the Exports Development Board under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The improved export performance was driven by industrial products 35.9 percent and agricultural products 13.6 percent despite the other major sector, fisheries registering a drop 15.3 percent in performance.

Petroleum products 166.3 percent and ships and boats 117.0 percent led the industrial sector's January - August earnings. Textiles and garments contributed 39.5 percent to the total export earnings and have increased by 27.4 percent.

Other top gainers in the industrial sector are rubber finished products (increased by 69.2 percent), food, beverages and tobacco 41.6 percent, non-metallic mineral products 38.8 percent, leather products 36.3 percent, wooden products 31.6 percent, electrical, electronic and machinery 27.04 percent, diamonds, gems and jewellery 24.9 percent, chemical products 22.8 percent, paper and paper products 11.5 percent, plastic products 14.7 percent, base metal products 12.4 percent and footwear 5.6 percent.