Business
Apparel industry urged to increase value addition to its EU exports
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry must increase value addition to its exports to the EU from the current 52 per cent to 65 per cent quickly if the industry wants to utilise the fullest extent of the GSP+ benefits, Hemantha Perera, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters, a constituent member of Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said last week.
“Vertical integration in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is one of the quickest ways to do that,” he said.
Hemantha, who is also an executive member of JAAF said so while speaking at a panel discussion, ‘GSP Plus; Past, Present and Future’, hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and the Colombo Chamber of Commerce.
The Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF) has been working with the government and companies in the industry to develop solutions to increase value addition into apparel; the setting up of the Fabric Processing Park at Eravur is the first step, achieved with consistent government support.
Perera further noted that certain fabrics used for apparel production are currently being imported from regions that disqualify the manufactured product for tariff reductions under the EU’s GSP+ concessions. He noted that this disqualification could be resolved via local production of such inputs.
“Fabric is a key raw material required for apparel production. Synthetic fabric often has to be imported to Sri Lanka, making them ineligible for GSP+ concessions to the EU,” he said. “However, developments such as the Eravur Fabric Processing Park can change this situation and allow the industry to make greater utilization of GSP+ to the EU, our second-largest market.”
“We currently lack infrastructure for functions such as dyeing and printing. These are vital in improving key indicators such as lead times and strengthening the output potential of the industry. Even at present, our competitiveness primarily depends on factors like ethical manufacturing practices, compliances and the high skill levels of our employees,” he said.
At the forum, several other speakers highlighted the need for Sri Lanka to retain GSP+ concessions to the EU, including the Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman, Suresh de Mel and trade expert Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“We need to do our best to retain the existing concessions to our exporters,” the EDB Chairman emphasized.”
Dr. Silva indicated that those who assumed that Sri Lanka could do without GSP+ concessions at this stage were mistaken. Dr. Silva referenced previous studies published by respected academics that highlight that the previous instance of GSP+ withdrawal had a negative impact on the country’s overall economy – with GDP declining by more than 1% – and, on employment levels, particularly in the apparel industry.
The other speakers at the event included the Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives – Denis Chaibi, and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the European Union – Grace Asirwatham.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
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