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Industry and Commerce Ministry’s agencies emerge with stronger annual performance

Saturday, 21 December 2013 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  •  Hoping for more in 2014: Rishad
  • Many new registrations seen in Apparel, Heavy industries
  • First Kosher certification well received by Lankan industry: EDB
  • Met our annual COO target already in September: DoC
  • 148% jump in registration activities: NIPO
  As 2013 draws to a close, leading agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce are reporting stronger performances than expected in their respective spheres of activity. “Thank you! Next year, we need to accelerate our performance more, starting in the early first half,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen at the EDB auditorium yesterday. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing his top officials and heads of various departments, divisions and projects functioning under him at the annual Ministry Performance Review early this week. Among agencies, divisions and projects reporting their progress on 18 December were the EDB, Department of Commerce, Registrar of Companies, National Enterprise Development Authority, National Intellectual Property Office, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA), Department of Textile Industries, Textile Industry Development Division, SMILE III Project, Regional Industrial Development Division, Mantai Salt, Kahatagaha Graphite Ltd., and the three Development Divisions. Also present with Minister Bathiudeen were Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Lakshman Wasantha Perera and Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Anura Siriwardena. During the session the departments under review made detailed presentations to Minister Bathiudeen on their progress in 2013. Minister Bathiudeen was informed that, as for the progress of the industrial sector in 2013, 53 new industries were registered; 23% of them in apparel and textiles, 22% in heavy industries such as chemical, petroleum, rubber, and plastic; 17% in fabricated metals and 14% in food, beverages and tobacco. Apprising Minister Bathiudeen of the EDB’s progress in an in-depth presentation EDB DG Sujatha Weerakoone outlined: “YoY November 2012 to November 2013, exports increased by 27.45%. From January to November this year alone the increase in exports is at 5.18%,” she said and elaborated on EDBs key activities to enhance exports of the diverse basket it has in individual categories. “The EDB has commenced developing a strategy for solving issues faced by tea exporters in consultation with other relevant stakeholders. We launched an assistance scheme for Grading Area Capacity Development for registered tea producers. We are also looking to get higher prices for our tea in the international markets. We are planning to work out the feasibility of Sri Lanka as a Tea Hub concept with relevant stakeholders as to whether we should move forward. “As for organic product exports, EDB obtained HS codes for organic sector considering the export value/volume of the relevant projects. During the 2013 Bio-Fach trade fair -the world’s leading organic products show to promote organic/natural products- three Sri Lankan exporters of organic products clinched orders valued at $ 180,000 and more are under negotiation. “As a part of the broadening of its support to equip exporters on fair trade practices, the EDB has also conducted awareness seminar on fair trade for 125 participants with the support of a US expert from the World Fair Trading Organisation on introducing the ‘Fair Trade Label to Sri Lankan companies, manufacturers and even craft producers. “The EDB has also begun making arrangements on conducting an ICT Export Value Survey for 2012/2013. Our Kosher Certification Briefing to the Lankan food industry by an international expert was well received by the industry with many positive comments, which is an important marketing and promotional effort by the EDB. “We also introduced a new freight forwarding agent to the EDB portal. As for the immediate future we have mapped out many strategies to enhance competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports while pursuing focused market diversification efforts. The BRICS group is in our radar.” Department of Commerce DG R.D.S. Kumararatne outlining the department’s performance said: “We are annually issuing around 56,000 Certificates of Origin (COO) or more with commendable revenue and by this September we already surpassed 56,000 COOs. The other good news is that in November, an important economy we are trading with agreed with us to consider assisting us in a COO automation process, so that we can go much faster. “Also, as for trade with the east, the market in China is massive at more than $ 1 billion for example and larger than the EU’s $ 500 million market and to this end, the forthcoming China FTA is very important for Sri Lanka. “As for GSP, the common misconception that we have lost GSP –which is wrong. What we don’t have is GSP Plus,” Kumararatne said and added: “We are opening wider doors for international trade agencies such as WIPO etc in the coming year since we closely work with them to get more for Sri Lanka.” The Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka said: “NIPO’s aim is to become a leading development oriented agency offering quality based services with enhanced productivity,” and added: “Our total activities by 15 November 2013 showed an increase of 148% in comparison to 2012 levels. Therefore, 2013 is a year of strong performance. Our status was even more elevated with the arrival of WIPO, Geneva DG Dr. Francis Gurry in early November since we have received strong encouragement from him. We have also the same income levels as of November 30 as 2012 with revenue from the industrial design category growing by 135%.” During the presentation, Minister Bathiudeen instructed institutional heads on strategies of performance improvements for next year. Other institutions including Mantai Salt, NEDA, etc -too made their performance presentations on 18 December to Minister Bathiudeen.  

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