Category: Trade

Aug 27, 2012 (LBO) – An exporter of branded teas that has catered to emerging global consumer needs has warned that nationalism and protectionism in tea was losing Sri Lanka an opportunity to play a bigger role in the global tea industry. He said demands to ban such an export hub will require Sri Lankans […]

Aug 24, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s HVA Foods, a branded tea producer and exporter said a franchise tea café network in China had expanded to 25 in the past year, while the firm was also researching new forms of delivering tea to customers. First established in 2009, the franchise network grew to 20 by […]

July 30, 2012 (LBO) – India Show, an exposition of Indian business in Colombo to be held from August 03 has drawn over 100 exhibitors which will give a chance for the two countries to boost trade and investment as well as influence policy, officials said. “We hope this will be a platform to build […]

July 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s fledgling rice exporters could still ship rice under some restrictions, including a minimum price and there was no blanket ban, a minister said. The notice said ‘specific varieties of rice” targeted at export markets could be shipped with export licenses. Sri Lanka’s state can restrict citizens from importing […]

July 27, 2012 (LBO) – A contraction in Sri Lanka’s apparel exports, especially to the European Union could have been compounded by tariff preferences to Europe withdrawn due to bad governance, an opposition legislator has said. Data Concerns De Silva said there were problems with Sri Lanka’s economic data. In 2011 the Central Bank has […]

July 25, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka external trade continued to contract in May with exports falling 15. 1 percent to 710.1 million US dollars and imports easing 6.4 percent to 1,575 million dollars, official data showed. The Central Bank said industrial exports fell 16. 2 percent to 636 million US dollars with apparel falling […]

July 18, 2012 (LBO) – Indian citizens may get freer access to buy Sri Lankan pepper with the prospects of a volume ceiling on trade between the countries being relaxed soon according to a statement made by India’s envoy to Colombo. Rent-seeking Sri Lankan producers were allowed by authorities to have a large negative list […]

July 17, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and Vietnam are moving towards a preferential trade deal removing non-tarrif barriers and increasing improving air links between the two countries, following, the foreign ministry said. Sri Lanka and Vietnam is also co-operating on defence and maritime security, the statement said. Joint Commission meeting of Sri Lanka and […]

July 16, 2012 (LBO) – While Sri Lanka was delaying the signing of an economic partnership deal, despite India being prepared to offer concessions, similar deals were being rapidly wrapped up with other countries and regions, India’s envoy to Colombo said. Sri Lanka and India worked out a draft agreement for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership […]

COLOMBO, July 15, 2012 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s tea industry is deeply divided over plans to boost earnings by importing cheaper leaves for blending and re-export, over fears the changes could water down the “Pure Ceylon” brand Pure Ceylon — using the country’s colonial-era name — is to tea what single malt is to whisky, […]

July 14, 2012 (LBO) – A single document that harmonises different regulations of South Asian countries for clearing cargo would help boost regional trade, Sri Lanka’s external affairs minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris said. Trade among countries of the South Asian region was far below its potential and simplified procedures were needed to increase volumes, he […]

June 30, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will continue to receive preferential trade concessions after ‘noteworthy efforts’ were made by the state to address worker rights issue, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk has said. Sri Lanka gets duty free export rights to 5,000 odd items including tires, activated carbon, rubber gloves, plastic products, and kitchenware […]