EDB steps up export promotion and development aftermath of GSP+

France being the world’s sixth largest economy, trade between France and Sri Lanka has much potential and scope for development. Fuelling the momentum, the GSP+ concessions will make Sri Lankan exports more competitive. Therefore, timely and strategic action is needed to reap the maximum benefits in the positive external environment.

Also France being, a leader in the fashion industry is an important market for Sri Lanka apparel. France had imported $ 21 billion apparel products while Sri Lanka has exported only $ 74 million in 2016. The major apparel suppliers to France are China, Bangladesh, Turkey, Italy, India, and Cambodia. Sri Lanka ranks as the 22nd apparel supplying country. Apparel has been the major Sri Lankan export to France over the years. Regaining GSP+ will play a vital role in increasing exports to this lucrative market.

Given the above and the fact that EU buyers are looking at Sri Lanka positively in the present context, it is important that Sri Lanka make the maximum use of the prevailing positive environment to explore opportunities to increase exports, further strengthen existing contacts and establish new contacts to sustain in the long term.

Keeping in line with the above, EDB organised the first major promotional event in the EU after regaining GSP+ facility in France coupled with Sri Lanka’s first ever participation at the ‘Apparel Sourcing Paris’, which is European leading sourcing trade fair in collaboration with Sri Lanka Embassy in France.

EDB organised this program with the objective of getting maximum advantage to promote Sri Lanka apparel and other products to regain the lost opportunities and increase exports to EU, through GSP+.

Bilateral meetings were held with important trade related organisations including Business France and Paris Chamber of Commerce, the two largest trade chambers in France which represent large and medium/small French companies respectively. These meetings were very positive and the EDB and the Chambers discussed of bilateral cooperation between the organisations for enhancing trade ties and in areas where technical assistance could be obtained. EDB is making arrangements to sign a MOU with Business France during October 2017 coinciding their visit to Sri Lanka during the same time.

EDB also organised participation of 8 Sri Lankan companies at the Apparel Sourcing Paris parallel to the program. Trendywear Ltd., Lanka Garments Ltd., Perk Clothing Ltd., Sarasavi Exports Ltd., Stylish Garments Ltd., JIA Moda Ltd., Crystal Lanka Apaprel Ltd. and Queens Workwear Ltd. showcased their products at the show. The event was held at the Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Centre from 18-21 September. Sri Lanka has gained a reputation for manufacturing excellence for apparel products internationally. However, Sri Lanka is yet to be known as a fashion designing country and therefore, it is important that this segment be promoted in the international market. This is the way forward for Sri Lanka apparel as well as other products to find that niche in the international market which will fetch a premium price. Therefore EDB proposes to introduce fashion designing as a sector to promote Sri Lankan designers and their labels and brands internationally. As an initial step in this regard EDB gave the opportunity for three Sri Lankan designers to promote their designs and brands made out of batik and handloom textiles. This was the first time EDB provided the opportunity for Sri Lankan designers to promote individual design labels and brands in the international market.

The fair was well attended by a number of international buyers. In addition to French buyers, the fair was visited by more than 12000 trade buyers from countries such as UK, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc, representing more than 100 countries. Combined with two other events Texworld Paris and Shawls& Scarves Paris, the Apparel Sourcing Paris attracted over 1,600 exhibitors to participate at the exhibition with majority from China. The other countries exhibited at the fair included India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Thailand etc. Sri Lankan companies received a good response from visiting buyers and they were highly appreciative of the quality of Sri Lankan products at display in the Sri Lanka pavilion which some of them were witnessing for the first time. Sourcing opportunities from Sri Lanka through GSP+ was also highlighted to the buyers visiting the pavilion.

The organisers recognising the importance of Sri Lanka in the value chain of the global apparel trade made arrangements to place special emphasis on Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was the “Focused Country” at the press conferences organised on the first day of the event with representatives from print and electronic media Institutions. A Sri Lanka conference was also organised with presentations from EDB and the apparel industry on opportunities for enhancing trade between the two countries and benefits of GSP+. A “Sri Lanka Catwalk” was organised to display products of the participating companies including designer clothing made out of Handloom & Batik to give a true Sri Lankan flavour. Products of Sri Lankan designers, Ceylon Activewear (Lovi Sarong), Buddhi Batiks and Meraki Designs received a warm welcome from organisers. A Sri Lanka Catwalk show was running on the ramp for the first time. They were surprised to see Sri Lanka’s creative talent. 

The Sri Lankan exhibitors including the designers were inspired by the response received for their products at the catwalk.

“We had a great show and made some very high level contacts as a result of this event”. “We gained confidence that we can sell Sri Lankan products to Europeans”. “Appreciate EDB’s efforts for putting up a great show” were some of the comments made by the participants.

All the above events gave Sri Lanka the opportunity to promote the quality products as well as create awareness among the EU, especially French buyers/importers on the duty benefit of GSP+ facility that was received after lapse of a number of years. It created the opportunity to refresh the minds of buyers on the competitiveness, quality of Sri Lankan products influencing their sourcing decisions. 

The first major promotional event coordinated by EDB after regaining GSP+ was extremely successful and was able to create a lasting impression on the minds of the buyers, importers, industry experts and media. EDB will work with the export industry to follow up closely on the initiatives undertaken to turn them into fruitful business contacts.