Lanka improves rank in global competitiveness
Sri Lanka has moved up in the latest Global Competitiveness Index
signalling a positive turn for its export diversification moves.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (left) in
discussion with New Delhi based Ambassador of Chile
accredited to Sri Lanka, Cristian Barros at the Mt Lavinia
Hotel. |
"Sri Lanka has improved to Rank 65 from its previous 68 in the Global
Competitiveness Report 2013-2014. We stand just below the Russian
Federation in this ranking. According to the index, Sri Lanka leads
among SAARC countries on competitiveness levels," said Industry and
Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at a seminar 'From Agriculture to
Agribusiness: The Pathway of Chile' at the Mount Lavinia Hotel recently.
Sergio Rodriguez of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Engineering,
Catholic University of Chile and Honorary Consul of Chile in Sri Lanka,
Mano Selvanathan, officials from the EDB, private sector representatives
including Cargills, academia and officials from Chile's Delhi Embassy
were present.
Minister Bathiudeen said, "Chile is one of Sri Lanka's leading trade
partners in the South American region. Bilateral trade between Chile and
Sri Lanka stood at $ 45 million in 2012.
Our top two exports to Chile are tea and spices. The bilateral
agreement, for agricultural trade and cooperation, between the two
countries, signed in Colombo, in 2007, strengthened our historic links,
further."
"We also see Chile as a platform to access other markets, in the
South American region. We congratulate Chile for being selected as the
highest ranked, Latin American nation by the World Economic Forum in its
latest, Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014. This achievement is
despite the challenging international markets," he said.
"Back in 1980s we were backward but after opening our economy and
entering many FTAs, our GDP grew steadily and now Chile is a global
player. Our exports grew and today we are the fifth largest exporter of
wine in the world," said the New Delhi based Ambassador of Chile
accredited to Sri Lanka, Cristian Barros adding "Sri Lanka-Chile trade
cooperation goes back a long way despite being geographically distant.
And of course, 90% of Chileans drink Ceylon Tea." |