President invites exporters

President invites exporters to rise again from a strong economic foundation

The main challenge is to gain a sufficient share in the world market

Even a small mistake is a fatal blow to the economy

President emphasizes

Recalling that our country has not faced the challenge of capturing the market from a very strong position, the President had to seek support from another party, and accordingly, he emphasized that his government is ready to provide support to rise again on the foundation built in the existing economic stability. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated this while addressing the 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony.

The 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) was held today (07) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The main objective of this award ceremony is to recognize exporters who have made outstanding contributions to the economic development of Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the Presidential Export Award is the highest award presented by the President to Sri Lankan exporters who have made outstanding contributions to the export sector and economic progress. The Presidential Export Award program was initiated by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in 1981 and this year the awards were presented to recognize the best exporters in Sri Lanka during the 2023/24 financial year.

These awards were presented under two main categories with a total of 14 awards and 51 product and service sector awards, and the awardees will have the opportunity to use the Presidential Export Award logo as a marketing tool for a period of 3 years. Speaking further, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that since the world's market economy is not self-reliant or independent, the trust placed in Sri Lanka by stakeholders in the economy outside Sri Lanka is very important in stabilizing the country's economy.

The President also stated that the main challenge facing our country is to gain a sufficient share in the current world where the market has been divided and there is competition to re-divide the market. Stating that today's market has become a global chain, the President emphasized that in order to become a partner, the country must enter into trade agreements that are favorable to it and that it cannot invade the market like a stubborn and willful child.

The President stated that his government is already working to provide the necessary technical support to enter the market with quality. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the government's special attention has been paid to providing new goods and services in line with the changes taking place in the world. The President, who stated that he would pay more attention to renewable energy to maintain the stable reduction in electricity prices, stated that he would work to reduce the cost and provide a stable price within a few years. The President further stated that the government would make maximum efforts to take the country's economy to another level.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that great caution should be exercised in making decisions regarding the economy as even a small mistake would be a fatal blow to the economy. The President stated that the demands of exporters, as key stakeholders in the upliftment of the country's economy, would be fulfilled without breaking the foundation that has been laid so far. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited Sri Lankan exporters to join hands in overcoming this difficult hurdle with mutual understanding.

Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Chairman/CEO of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with a group of Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomats, Secretaries to Ministries, Members of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and others participated in this event.

(Presidential Media Division)