The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka is planning to assist the government to achieve the national export target of US$20 billion by 2020 or earlier.
In a press release, NCE President Sarath de Silva said the private sector should be motivated with appropriate policy initiatives and incentives with an all island production effort and aggressive export market promotion. To achieve the goal, Mr. De Silva said it is important that the agricultural and fisheries sectors as well as small and medium enterprises (SME’s) be fully engaged in a production and market promotion drive.
In regard to market promotion efforts, the NCE is of the view that the proposed visit by the Sri Lankan President provides a good opportunity to improve on the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Sri Lanka by removing constraints that hinder the effective implementation of the agreement, particularly in regard to Non Tariff Barriers (NBT’s) including quarantine barriers which prevents growth in trade of agricultural products.
Mr. de Silva said private sector chambers have already communicated with the relevant chambers in Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Pollachchi and Chennai focusing on these aspects. The members of these chambers are keen to import products from Sri Lanka to India The Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Chennai Vadivel Krishnamoorthi and Mr. de Silva have also initiated action for the removal of quarantine barriers in consultation with the relevant authorities in India and the Department of Commerce in Sri Lanka.
In regard to the proposed finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Sri Lanka, past NCE President Kulatunga Rajapaksa said state authorities should be transparent by releasing copies of the draft framework agreement as well as the relevant schedules to all chambers and associations. |
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