Six-panel caps exported to US from BOI’s Malwatta Export Processing Park

The BOI’s Malwatta Export Processing Park (MEPP) contributed Rs. 2.8 billion ($ 18 million) in export revenue as at end-2017.

MEPP is in Nittambuwa, in the Gampaha District, about 38 km away from Colombo. It was established in 1998 on a land area of 32.8 acres of which 26.32 acres is industrial land. The infrastructure facilities at the zone include water, the processing of waste water and electricity, making it attractive to investors.

There are currently six enterprises engaged in commercial operations at the Malwatta zone dealing in the manufacture of garments, hats and caps, paper products, lubricant and warehouse and logistics. Presently 16 more enterprises outside the zone are also monitored by the MEPP.

One of the companies at the Malwatta Export Processing Park is Young An Int. Lanka Ltd. which manufactures hats for export. The company, which is a Korean investment, employs a staff of 418 and has been operating in Sri Lanka for 30 years.

Young An Int. Lanka Ltd. manufactures 6,000 hats and caps a day which are mainly embroidered six-panel caps. The six-panel caps are the popular baseball caps initially worn in the US by baseball players before gaining global popularity while also being adopted by military forces. Most of Young An Int. Lanka Ltd’s production is exported to the US.

The zone’s enterprises have a significant impact on the local economy as they provide employment to a staff of 2,061. The zone therefore promotes the Government’s objective of developing regional industrialisation and the creation of opportunities throughout the country.