Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, outlined the Government’s utmost priority of maintaining stability in energy supply to ensure uninterrupted industrial activity addressing the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) 40th Anniversary held in Colombo recently.
He also focused on the need to strengthen Sri Lanka’s supply chains. “We can see the industry is being proactive in diversifying markets but there is more we have to do.That is why the government is heavily focused on export-led industrial growth, which is also why the government is strengthening EDB ” he said.
A key highlight of the address was the announcement of an upcoming major structural reform, to gradually remove para-tariffs, a move aimed at improving competitiveness and strengthening export-led growth. For exporters, the Deputy Minister explained how the reform would reduce input costs and support Sri Lanka’s participation in multilateral trade agreements, while also recognising the impact it may have on certain local industries. He outlined other initiatives undertaken to support export growth as well and highlighted the importance of product complexity, labour force participation and productivity, as well as innovation and supply chain integration moving forward. He urged exporters to invest in research and development and strengthen backward linkages to ensure traceability and compliance with evolving global standards.
Abeysinghe acknowledged the resilience of Sri Lankan exporters amid ongoing global and domestic challenges, noting that export growth had remained steady despite uncertainty. He outlined the Government’s utmost priority of maintaining stability in energy supply to ensure uninterrupted industrial activity. He also focused on the need to strengthen Sri Lanka’s supply chains.
The event also marked the official launch of the SLAB Endorsed Certificate of Ethical Trading (CET), reflecting the Chamber’s continued emphasis on ethical business practices and international standards. The anniversary celebration further recognised the Chamber’s four decades of service to Sri Lanka’s export sector. Commemorating 40 years of the NCE, the event featured several highlights, including the premier of the NCE corporate video, the unveiling of the 40th-anniversary lapel pin, and the launch of a special edition of the Exporter Magazine. The evening also honored the Chamber’s legacy by presenting tokens of appreciation to the past presidents , Partners and special invitees. Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa was re-elected as President of the NCE for the forthcoming term.
Source: Daily News
