EDB opens services sector, unveils srilankaservicexport.com

Wednesday, 18 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

2015 ICT exports expected to cross $ 1 b
Portal absolutely free: EDB’s Maldeni
Calls all service exporters to join, reap benefits
Service exports surge by 8% to $ 774 m

EDB Director – Export Services Saman Maldeni showcasing EDB’s new web portal to service exporters yesterday As Sri Lanka’s top service exports, ICT, started moving towards the crucial $ 1 billion mark this year, the country’s apex exports body EDB announced a major initiative yesterday to further diversify exports beyond merchandises and to move for service exports. “The website srilankaservicexport.com is the first specialised web portal for all our service exporters and a one-stop for them to link with international partners. This portal is absolutely free for exporters,” said SLEDB Director – Export Services Saman Maldeni yesterday. Maldeni was addressing the seminar on ‘Opportunities for Export Market for Sri Lanka’s Printing Sector’ organised by the EDB. Also joining the session were EDB DG Sujatha Weerakoone, ICCSL Chairman Keerthi Gunawardena, print exporters of Sri Lanka and Euro Scan Exports Managing Director Anselm B. Perera. Sri Lanka’s service exports have been showing steady rise. In 2013, ICT and construction services exports jumped by 8% to $ 774 m from 2012’s $714 m and these do not contain printing service exports etc. The 2013 exports volumes of ICT and construction services are more than twice the volumes of 2009 at $ 358 m. In 2013, ICT exports alone surged by 21%. “As per the vision of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the guidance of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, the EDB continues to diversify its exports basket,” said Maldeni. He added: “srilankaservicexport.com is a showcase of the capabilities of the Sri Lankan service exporters to the world. It is not only for ICT and electronic exporters, but even exporters of professional services, such as finance, accounting, legal, health, construction, pre-press and printing and ship repairing services. It will also establish an ideal forum for the Sri Lankan service professional community to express their views and interact with each other on related industry issues. It is now open for registrations of services exporters.” EDB projects 2014 ICT exports to be around $ 820 m, and dollar one billion mark as early as 2015.