Lanka cranking up export level to Turkey

The Sri Lankan exports to Turkey has been recorded to a sum of USD 34.3 million during the first eight months this year and it was only USD 34.5 million during the last year.

This was revealed at a programme held yesterday to promote economic, trade and investment relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey with the participation of the local business community. The event was organised by the Confederation of Business and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON).

In the first eight months the total imports from the Turkey to Sri Lanka was recorded as USD 31.8 million and in 2006 it was USD 37 million. According to the TUSKON Turkey is among the top 20 economies in the world.

Minister of Enterprise Development Mano Wijeratne said that trade between Sri Lanka and Turkey gradually increased but there are several areas that country need to focus.

Last year tea exports from Sri Lanka to Turkey has been dropped and the country need to regain the lost market through exporting more tea to Turkey, he said.

Turkey is one of the largest cement manufacturers in the world. Since there is a huge boom in the local construction industry and this is one of the areas country could focus, minister added.

Minister also invited Turkish investors to explore the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

TUSKON aims to turn the enterprises and the entrepreneurs into the part of global business world by developing scientific and rational methods. TUSKON today represent 9500 businessmen who involve in activities in 124 organizations.

AS