Minister of Ind. & Com again!

• Assumes duties as Minister of Ind. & Com again
• Says joining with Pvt Sector in the new phase
• ‘2014 exports at $11 B’ -Rishad

Private sector is set to be the driver in Sri Lanka new phase of industry and int’l trade development–and the (new) Minister of Industry & Commerce is ready to move fast on the government’s 100–Day reforms program. “I and my Ministry shall improve on our export and industry performance further in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s private sector. To fulfil the 100 Day reform program of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena by us effectively we will move fast” declared Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) on 16 January in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing immediately after he assumed the office of the Minister of Industry and Commerce on the afternoon of 16 January at 3:07pm. Joining him at the tightly packed ceremony were his Deputy Champika Premadasa (who assumed duties of the Deputy’s office in the morning on the same day) and top officials of his Ministry.

“I thank HE the President Maithripala Sirisena and Hon Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for appointing me as the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka. Our government has pledged a 100 Day reform program which will culminate in a ‘Maithree (good) Governance’ of the country. 70 representatives of my party ACMC have decided to strengthen the Maithree campaign and moved to support him to clinch victory, amidst daunting challenges that we faced. This Ministry now expects to develop Sri Lankan industry and export sectors to new levels. We have now achieved almost $11 Bn exports in 2014” said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: “In our new phase, I and my Ministry shall improve on our export and industry performance further in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s private sector. To fulfil the 100 Day reform program of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena by us effectively and to strengthen his promises, I will, with my Deputy Minister Champika Premadasa here, move fast and activate the Ministry officials and the Departments and give my maximum commitment. HE the President Maithripala Sirisena’s government has now moved the country to a better footing, bringing us ethnic harmony, unity and togetherness, and we will help him to sustain this new peace.”

Sri Lanka’s January-November provisional merchandise (only) exports this year topped $10.108 Bn, rising by 7.5% from 2013 January-November export values. Service exports values such as ICT/BPM exports are not included in Jan-November 2014 totals. Except for ‘export crops’, ‘natural rubber’ and ‘diamonds’, growth has been seen ‘across the board’ in all other export sectors.  Thus, 2014 YoY Jan-Nov apparel exports surged by a strong 10.35% to $4.458 Bn, which is 94% of annual apparel exports target set for this year (base formulated in 2011). Also annual targets of such sectors as coconuts, fruits & vegetables, and floriculture have also been achieved by Jan-November ’14 totals.