Lankan industrialists off to Myanmar as part of $ 3 b rubber exports target

Thursday, 14 June 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen hands over an air ticket to a Sri Lankan plastic and rubber sector representative on 12 June at the Ministry premises joined by Plastic and Rubber Institute

Vice President Kaushal Rajapakse (third from left)

Sri Lanka is sending 20 industrialists from 10 manufacturers to this week’s global exposition in Myanmar for the first time as part of the country’s revived efforts to hit $ 3 b in rubber exports.

“This is the first time that the Industry Ministry is actively moving towards national export development work,” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 12 June, when handing over the air tickets to the representatives of 10 Lankan plastic and rubber manufacturing firms who will fly out on 13 and 14 June to join the Lankan pavilion at Complast Myanmar 2018, the international industrial trade fair for the plastics and rubber sectors.

Complast 2018 will commence on 15 June in Yangon, Myanmar and will end on 17 June. The Lankan delegation consists of 20 industrialists from Textrip Ltd., Clean Poly Packaging Ltd., Lanmic Exports, Polydime International Ltd., Global Vinayl Ltd., Kalhari Enterprises, World Polybags International, Penguin Polymers, PE Plus Ltd. and Oleema Industries Ltd.

“The Government focuses on exports led growth and aims at a $ 3 b exports target for rubber. This Ministry has evaluated your performance in rubber and plastics sectors and have picked you to represent Sri Lanka at the important Complast Myanmar 2018. At this event, we want you to focus on receiving industry exposure but for the first time, for international rubber market promotion efforts of Lankan rubber, for us achieve export targets,” said Bathiudeen.

Last year Sri Lanka’s rubber finished products exports increased by 9% to $ 835 million in comparison to 2016’s $ 768 million. Exports of natural rubber too increased by 18% to $ 39 million from 2016’s $ 33 million.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is subsidising 50% of industrialists’ airfare and accommodation and the total bill for Sri Lanka pavilion at Complast Myanmar 2018.

In addition to raw materials such as polymers and resins, the exhibitors of Complast Myanmar 2018 also plan to showcase processing machines and technologies as well as forms, chemicals, additives, test equipment and recycling services.