EDB hosts national programme to develop 2,000 new exporters
The government’s national programme for the establishment of 2,000 new exporters during the 20172020 period was launched on March 23, 2017, for Northern Province entrepreneurs in Jaffna and the second phase of the seminar was held in Kandy for the Central Province entrepreneurs, and the third phase was held for the Southern Province entrepreneurs in Matara.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) organised a one day seminar to educate the entrepreneurs of the North Western Province on the national programme of developing the 2,000 new exporters for the North Western Province entrepreneurs on August 17, 2018, at Hotel Blue Sky, Kurunegala.
The programme included an awareness programme for entrepreneurs, a technological display for the export industry and a round table discussion with top business leader of promote attract them to the export sector.
The mini exhibition on technology was with the participation of the stakeholder organisations relevant for the export sector representing Industrial Development Board (IDB), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD), Postharvest Technology Institute (PHTI), Department of Export Agriculture (DEA), Coconut Development Authority (CDA), Sri Lanka Institutes of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd and Tulip Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd.
The seminar was focus on introducing export business opportunities for development of products suitable for the province including spice products, ornamental articles, gems and jewellery, processed foods, ayurvedic products, coir products, fishery products, IT and communication services, with a view to increase export supplies from the province of those potential products.
Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema, Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development Minister S.B. Navinna, International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, North Western Province Governor K.C. Logeswaran, Transport and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Ashok Abeysinghe, Home Affairs State Minister J.C. Alawathuwala, Export Development Board and other government officials and private sector graced the occasion.
Parallel to this programme, implementing a 2018 national budget proposal 10 qualified exporters were offered financial support under market access support programme implemented by the EDB with the guidance of Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry.