Start all exports, EDB urges in clarion call

The EDB yesterday made a clarion call for the immediate recommencement of exports that may have been suspended due to the partial shutdown of the country for three weeks as part of mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus (COPVID-19).

“It’s a difficult moment for the world. We are fighting the coronavirus pandemic whilst our nation’s exporters have been facing challenging times for the past two months. The EDB requests that now more than ever the time has come for us to prepare our businesses to stay up and running,” the Export Development Board said in a statement.

Sri Lanka’s merchandised exports in January were down by 7.4% to $ 961 million and in the first two months they were down 3.6% to $ 1.93 billion from a year earlier.

It said as a nation Sri Lanka was no stranger to disaster, having faced a fair share of adversity. “We are confident that we will weather this storm and as we have done in the past, Sri Lanka will emerge stronger than ever and continue focusing on our main goal – recommencing exports, restoring them to their former level and increasing them,” EDB said. It said once again a new trial stood before exporters and the country and it was time for all to show their strength and resilience as a country.

“We must let the world know that for our businesses, our people and our nation, nothing is impossible,” it added.

EDB said the Government had done its part by enforcing the safety measures necessary to work towards eradicating the COVID-19 virus on the island, and as a result Sri Lanka would overcome this crisis.

“However, we must also do our part,” stressed the EDB, adding that the Government required that as a country it was imperative to place emphasis on generating foreign exchange earnings, without which the economy could be sustained.

“It is of utmost importance, therefore, that all exporters commence operations after the New Year holidays. Factories will be permitted to operate outside the red zones and we must come together to fulfil our responsibility as Sri Lankans,” the EDB said in its clarion call.

“The EDB is assured that, given sufficient time, the world will recover and as for our nation, we are survivors. We will come out of this crisis with the help of our exporters who must now collaboratively start their businesses and help Sri Lanka in our country’s time of need. It is time for us to come together and go forth into the world in search of new markets and new customers whilst strengthening our existing relationships and continuing to provide quality exports,” the EDB said.

It stressed that it was mandatory for all exporters to comply with the health regulations issued by the Ministry of Health in this regard and all factories would be inspected by the PHI of the respective area before they commence business.

“The EDB is ready to support all exporters and a hotline is in place for any assistance that we can provide. We are from a nation where our unity is stronger than our individuality. When faced with times of difficulty, Sri Lankans will once again come together and rise,” the statement said.

EDB also said the following persons could be contacted for further information and help

Actg. Additional Director General M.K.S.K. Maldeni – 077 760 1592 

Actg. Additional Director General Chitranjali Dissanayake – 071 807 1163 

Director – Export Agriculture Malani Baddegamage – 071 950 0885 

EDB Help Desk

Trade Facilitation Director S.R.P. Indrakeerthi – 071 440 6119

Export Promotion Officer Nirmala Gajanayaka – 071 822 0953

Export Promotion Officer Priyadarshani Hewawasam – 077 249 4807 

E mail: [email protected].