Sri Lanka Skypes for latest FMCG prices abroad

In the wake of its essential price control announcement, Sri Lanka acted swiftly to contact its trade officials abroad.

Opening a new chapter in Lankan international trade, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen launched a Skype teleconference session with his trade officials (TO) abroad yesterday and began evaluating their performance.

During the session, Minister Bathiudeen contacted trade officials from around the world to inquire about the latest prices of FMCG commodities and the investment promotion efforts of TOs. Minister Bathiudeen was joined by his top ministry officials including Secretary T.M.K.B. Thennakoon and Sonali Wijeratne (DG-DoC).

The successful Skype teleconference linked 13 key destinations in 12 countries - China (Beijing), India (Mumbai, Chennai), Vietnam (Hanoi), Japan (Tokyo), Australia (Sydney), Pakistan (Karachchi), South Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Dubai, South Africa (Pretoria), Singapore and Thailand (Bangkok).

Minister Bathiudeen also told the TOs to study their respective FMCG markets, find essential consumer item prices and get back to the DoC with details.

The technology-based session was entirely initiated by the IT Division of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, joined by the ministry’s Department of Commerce.

Control prices of 16 essential items were announced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday. The gazette is expected today. Prices are effective immediately.