Sri Lankan apparel exporters seek domestic market access

20 Feb '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Sri Lankan apparel exporters recently requested the government to review policies restricting their access to the domestic market to cultivate their own brands, which can be later carried into the international market. The Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) feels the idea of the domestic market being only for rejects or excess should be done away with.

The aim is not to flood the market but to see the possibility of creating strong domestic apparel brands that have the potential to penetrate international market, SLAEA chairman Rehan Lakhany told the annual general meeting of the association in Colombo recently.

At present, Sri Lankan firms operating under the purview of the Board of Investment (BOI) are required to pay Rs 100 per garment or Rs 100 for six packs of garments to supply their products to the domestic market.

However, the government earlier permitted apparel firms under BOI purview to sell 40 per cent of the production in the domestic market.

Lakhany pointed out that access to domestic market is crucial to gradually develop international brands, according to a report in a top Sri Lankan newspaper. Domestic consumers deserve to enjoy quality garments, he added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)