Category: Trade

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Lanka’s apparel exports, especially to the European Union could have been compounded by tariff preferences to Europe withdrawn due to bad governance, an opposition legislator has said.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 […]

June 21, 2012 (LBO) – Trade between Sri Lanka and Vietnam had expanded 81 percent to 27. 6 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, with a steep increase in Sri Lankan exports, a business association said. Mahesha Ranasoma, managing director, Dipped Products Plc was elected president of the […]

June 15, 2012 (LBO) – Trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the United States can grow after the end of 30-year war, as peace brought new opportunities US Trade Representative to South Asia Micheal Delaney said. “My visit here allowed me to follow up on those discussions and to learn more about what the […]

June 15, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s annual gem and jewellery show, FACETS to be held in September has already signed up more than 300 foreign buyers with the largest group of 50 dealers coming from China, the exhibition’s organizers said. Ziqufi Ismail, secretary to the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association said buyers from […]

May 30, 2012 (LBO) – Business chambers of Sri Lanka and Singapore has inked a deal to push trade and economic links between the two countries in the wake of visit by foreign minister K Shanmugam to the Indian Ocean island. Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Sri Lanka Singapore Business Council (SLSBC) affiliated to […]