President pledges well-planned strategy to support apparel

• Garment owners assure President of meeting $ 1.5 b in earnings 
• Possibility of relaxing COVID-19 guidelines on sector to be considered 
• Easing visa process and extending validity period for investors also discussed

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said the Government is well aware of the challenges faced by the local apparel industry and assured that it is ready to extend its fullest support to enhancing productivity and quality.

The President made this remark at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday with representatives of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.  

“We will follow a well-planned strategy to reach this objective,” stated the President.

In Sri Lanka, the apparel sector is one of the leading export industries. Sri Lankan apparel has become a world-renowned amongst other globally recognised apparel manufacturers. The President highlighted that a large sum of foreign exchange could be earned by reviving the local apparel industry.

The government is enthusiastic to meet the targets, and this year the government expects an income of $ 5.1 billion. Businessmen taking part in the discussions assured the President that they are committed to achieving these goals.

Many entrepreneurs, meanwhile, explained the challenges before them in the industry as a result of the health guidelines imposed to curtail the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. It was proposed during the discussion to look into the possibility of relaxing certain health guidelines imposed on the garment sector, as long as it does not affect the public health and safety.

The President also paid attention to the shortage of human resources in the industry and stressed that generating quality and secure employment opportunities could conveniently attract youths to the sector.

Extension of the visa-validity period for potential investors and the adoption of a relaxed policy in issuing visas were also discussed during the meeting.

Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Pavithra Wanniarachchi, State Ministers Sudarshani Fernandopulle and Channa Jayasumana, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Governor of the Central Bank Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Sanjaya Mohottala, Secretaries to the Line Ministries, Government officials, Joint Apparel Associations Forum Chairman Ashroff Omar, and several other members were present at the discussion.