Export promotion begins at home -CBI

The recent editorial from CBI news emphasises the need for export promotion agencies to be sensitive on the aspects of country image, marketing and research initiatives.

This is a timely example for the Sri Lanka’s prominent export promotion agency the Sri Lanka Export Development Board at the threshold of making arrangements for the next Presidential Export Awards Ceremony to recognise the services of domestic exporters.

The editorial further emphasises to find for better results in exports for economic development by focusing on the export effort on a national business climate rather than making all the effort to penetrate the international market.

The work programme launched by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board towards activities to enhance the supply base is in agreement with the thinking advocated by the CBI recently.

The World Bank has conducted surveys on the progress of short time achievements focusing domestic restraints in place of conventional offshore promotional needs. According to the report export promotion should start at home rather than target abroad.

Therefore, the need to expand and invest on the advisory body for a proper database business network covering country-wise through internet capabilities and providing in-house cyber facility towards promoting “doing business database culture”.

It is important that agencies go for lobbying for favourable import rates, business contact insurance transportation and domestic improvements. Domestic exhibitions and displays of local entrepreneurs falling to this category.

We have to admit that globalisation is rapidly changing the corporate environment as well.

This creates many opportunities for small and medium enterprises in developing countries. The CBI has outlined in the recent publication the buyer’s requirements are as follows:

* Compliances with domestic legislation with regard to products.

* Business under best practices.

* Corporate social responsibilities.

* Consumer safety requirements.

* Any questions on market information could be downloaded on marktinfo@cbi

New trends in trade opportunities

* European Union countries push up demand for stationery ware. Honey means money in a honey hungry Europe Union in 2005 of honey at a value of 271,000 tonnes.

* Cut flowers enter the European Union via the Netherlands and the demand from the East European country is growing.

* The Cebit Exhibition as a part of promotional programme has proved IT outsourcing sector.

* Cebit Consultant has declared in 2007 that there is a trend towards diversifying the outsourcing in information technology.

* Off shore outsourcing has become an acceptable practice.

This has helped competitiveness.

Medical miracles

The hospitality sector is tremendously successful. This throws a challenge to this sector in Sri Lanka.

Tourism is Gold

The Dutch went to mediterarian holiday resorts after they watched TV programmes. There is much the Sri Lanka can offer the Netherlands and the Dutch tourist specially with sites like the Galle Fort and the Negombo Dutch Fort.

Our mission should not be to get the maximum number of visitors to our stalls abroad but to talk to them and arouse their interest on our country resources.

Bandula Nonis
Trade Information Service, EDB