Bandula appoints Export Advisory Committees for 24 sectors

Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana has appointed Export Advisory Committees covering 24 sectors for a period of five years until 2026. 

The appointment is in terms of Section 10 of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Act no. 40 of 1979. It empowers the Minister in charge of the EDB, on the advice of the Board, to establish advisory committees that are oriented towards the development and promotion of specific products, product groups, commodities, as well as the functional aspects of the export trade.

These Advisory Committees are expected to identify key market challenges and opportunities facing the industry, set goals to strengthen sector competitiveness, identify market requirements, as well as propose key policy changes that need to be initiated to develop the export sector while playing a significant role in reviewing the export sector, which is currently facing numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These committees are led by private sector industry representatives with the participation of industry sector leaders and relevant public sector officers representing Government line agencies. The multi-stakeholder representation provides appropriate scrutiny of policy frameworks to catalyse export growth. They also succeed in providing coordination to optimise institutional support and quality of service in the export process. Furthermore, the appointed committees are an integral part of EDB’s formulation of annual action plans, strategies and policy. 

The sectors covered are: Apparel, Ayurveda and Herbal Products and Cosmetics, Boat and Ship Building, Coconut and Coconut-based Products, Construction Services, Education Services, Electrical and Electronic Components, Export Processing Villages, Gems, Diamonds and Jewellery, ICT/BPM, Light Engineering, Logistics, Marine and Offshore Engineering, Mineral-based Products, National Quality Infrastructure, Organic Products, Ornamental Fish, Pharmaceuticals, Processed Food and Beverages, Regional Development, Rubber and Rubber-based Products and Plastics, Seafood and Aquaculture Sector, Spices and Concentrates, and Trade Promotion and Trade Information.