Sri Lanka aims $4.1bn apparel exports in 2013

12 Apr '13

2 min read

As Sri Lanka is moving closer to its ‘Y2015 apparel target’, it is also nearing the target of US$ 4 billion worth of apparel exports, set by the Mahinda Chinthana, a ten-year development framework programme initiated by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The country, which made US$ 3.8 billion in apparel exports last year, expects to make US$ 4.1 billion in apparel exports this year, the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said while speaking at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparels (SLITA) Awards 2013.

Mr. Bathiudeen said his Ministry has spent US$ 1.39 million over the last five years for improving apparel productivity and on SME apparel skill development programme, and plans to invest another US$ 160,000 this year.

The Minister informed that they are linking Sri Lanka’s SME apparel exporters to the ASYCUDA global customs electronic system for the first time, and if everything goes as planned they would be able to achieve this by May this year.

Speaking at the occasion, Anura Siriwardene, Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and also the chairman, SLITA, said his Ministry is working in close association with the Chamber of Garment Exporters of Sri Lanka to address the issue of lack of skilled workforce faced by the apparel industry.

The personnel trained by SLITA for the middle level management would help in dealing with this shortfall, he added.

Functioning under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, SLITA is a leading Sri Lankan institute engaged in apparel training, development and consultancy. It also organizes sessions for Sri Lankan participants and also for students from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India