Category: Trade
UK Government launches its new Developing Countries Trading Scheme in Sri Lanka
On 14th March 2023, the UK government held a series of events in Colombo for their new trade preferences scheme – the Developing Country Trading Scheme (DCTS), which will launch this year. Speaking at an event, the British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton OBE said: The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme provides Sri Lankan and […]
Third Round of SL – Thailand FTA negotiations scheduled to commence tomorrow
The third round of negotiations between Sri Lanka and Thailand on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be held on January 9 and 10th, 2023, in Colombo, with the participation of 26 official delegates from Thailand headed by Auramon Supthaweethum, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, advancing the government’s agenda of expanding […]
International Trade Office to Synergize Country’s External Trade
On the directions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Government decides to reorganize the existing conventional institutional set-up and newly establish the International Trade Office (ITO) to interconnect all the relevant institutions and synergize their work to obtain maximum output from the external trade sector to the National Economy. Realizing the untapped economic potential of trade […]
Sinopec to Import and Market Sri Lanka Products at 27,000 Outlets
Sinopec, the giant oil company with over 27,000 service stations in China, entered into an agreement with the Beijing Sri Road Connection Trade Company Limited during the Shanghai CIIE, to import and market Sri Lanka Food and Beverage products at their convenience stores. The contract is worth over USD 0.8 million. The 5th China International Import […]
Government’s attention to resume negotiations on free trade agreements
Government’s intention was to resume the negotiations on free trade agreements said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake. It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the east region linking to […]
Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widens in Feb 2022 despite above USD 1Bn of export earnings
The momentum of export earnings continued with over US dollars 1.0 billion for the ninth consecutive month in February 2022. Meanwhile, import expenditure also increased substantially in February 2022, year-on-year, while recording a decline, compared to the previous month. The trade deficit widened, compared to year before. Tourist arrivals showed a notable recovery in February […]
Serious concerns of current crisis as outlined by Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council
The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council expresses its grave concern at the violence unleashed on peaceful protestors in Colombo on 9th May 2022. While recognizing the right for peaceful protest, we condemn all forms of violence which took place on 9th May 2022 and reiterate that it should be dealt with by the law of the […]
New payment terms related to importation of goods gazetted
Regulations have been promulgated under the Imports and Exports Control Act, No. 01 of 1969 and published in the Gazette No. 2278/21 dated 6th May 2022 to regulate selected payment terms related to importation of goods with a view to curb opportunities for under-invoicing at the time of Customs clearance of imported goods. As per […]
“Export outlook dims amidst economic challenges” latest CCC-USAID export barometer survey says
Findings from the latest bi-annual Export Barometer Survey indicate that exporters are losing confidence in the industry’s outlook, as firms face mounting challenges posed by increasing local and global economic risks. This survey was conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Partnership for Accelerating Results […]
Sri Lankan sapphires highlighted at SL Embassy in China
Sri Lankan gemstones were showcased at a glamorous event hosted by the Embassy in Beijing on 17 January, 2022. Sponsored by the ‘LARWINER – Gem Art Jewellery’, a range of stunning Sri Lankan blue sapphires and other coloured stones were displayed. Around 100 invited guests including many elite dealers attended the event. “LARWINER – Gem […]
‘s outstanding bill to Iran by exporting Ceylon Tea
Sri Lanka’s Plantation Ministry and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Trade of Iran agree to formulate a scheme for the settlement of a sum of US$ 250,925,169 outstanding from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to National Iranian Oil Company by means of utilizing the said sum to facilitate the export of Ceylon Tea to Iran by […]
Legal framework to be created for E-Commerce in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will introduce a new law that would ensure fairness and protection of rights for both businesses and consumers who use online E-Commerce platforms. A discussion was held at the Ministry of Justice with the representatives of several leading online trading platforms about the need for a strong legal framework for the industry. The […]