EDB Chairman meets leaders of top export sectors

• Exporters highlight need for policy consistency, make other key recommendations 
• Stress market access through new and existing FTAs priority to increase exports
• Welcome appointment of Prabash Subasinghe as Chairman

EDB’s newly appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Prabhash Subasinghe met with the country’s leading exporters yesterday at the Board premises. 

Twenty-five exporters, covering the country’s main export sectors, attended this meeting. At the outset, he thanked them for the great contribution made by them to Sri Lanka’s economy, and acknowledged the importance of exports to the country. 

Exporters present at the meeting welcomed the appointment of Subasinghe, as he shares the interests of the exporter community. 

Subasinghe requested exporters to take pride in playing a major role in the development of the country. The Chairman reiterated that the role of EDB is to facilitate exporters in reaching a higher export growth.

The exporters shared their expectations and export trends for 2020.  The exporters stressed the need for policy consistency to support the exports of the country. Subasinghe asked how EDB could assist and intervene on penetrating to any new markets, and emphasised the need to develop new products to expand the limited export basket. 

The exporters were of the view that market access through new and existing FTAs is a priority to increase exports from Sri Lanka. 

The need to focus on R&D, innovation for products, brand protection, geographical indication protection particularly for agricultural products, land availability for expansion, and expediting hub operations were also highlighted during the discussion as key factors necessary for a considerable increase of exports.  The need for skilled labour for the cutting and polishing of the diamonds and other export industries was stated. It was suggested to have more focused discussions with sectors on strategies to double exports within next few years.