The Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) was formally launched last Friday (20 June) under the distinguished patronage of Economic Development Minister Hon. Basil Rajapakse and a large gathering of key apparel industry players at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel Colombo.

Formerly known as the Domestic Garment Manufacturers Association, one of SLABA’s primary objectives is to gain both local and international recognition as the hub of Sri Lanka’s apparel brands. To further this end it has also gained membership of JAAF (Joint Apparel Association Forum). Celebrating the occasion, the Association’s new website – www.srilankabrands.com - was also formally launched by the Hon. Minister.

“Sri Lanka’s retail apparel market today is estimated to be in the region of US$ 2 billion. 40% of this market share is contributed by Sri Lankan brands. We thus felt that the time was opportune to rebrand ourselves. We have rebranded to gain greater recognition as we assert ourselves in the industry and market place as an association which encourages branded quality products for the consumer”, said SLABA’s new Chairman Indradatta Dharmawardane.

“With a current, and growing, membership of over 60 members working diligently towards the sustainable growth of the industry, the continuous growth of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is a testament to the extraordinary dedication, commitment and passion of many industry stakeholders. SLABA is privileged to have many of these dedicated and passionate individuals as its valued members”, Dharmawardane added.

Sri Lanka Apparel represents professional industry companies consisting of apparel manufacturers, accessory and fabric manufacturers, support services, buying offices and buyer’s representative and other ancillary apparel related businesses out of Sri Lanka. This combined voice and joint effort provide an ideal single window of opportunity for buyers and investors who seek high-end ethical manufacturing solutions with complete backward integration to complement their supply chain.

SLABA’s aims and objectives are manifold. While operating as a facilitator to develop the apparel brands segment among newcomers to the industry, it also seeks to take Sri Lankan brands to the international arena and establish them as globally recognised brands.

It will provide a common forum for the diverse product portfolio of branded apparel representing casual wear, tailoring and formal wear, fashion wear, uniform and work wear, lingerie, and other products such as socks, head wear, bags etc.

Committed to promoting industry best practices in health, safety, operation and the environment, SLABA envisages the creation of a voluntary, non-legally binding framework to facilitate the development of the branded apparel industry in Sri Lanka.

Empowering industry players to compete with imported substitutes, it seeks to enhance industry reputation too. “This is the beginning of a long and adventurous journey. SLABA is mandated to grow the domestic industry to 3 billion dollar industry while making Sri Lanka a hub for the international apparel industry”, Dharmawardane stressed.

The Association plans to expand market opportunities through the introduction of International Market Places (as in Thailand, Indonesia and China) for tourists and business travellers with a variety catering to all segments.

SLABA will also shape the policies that impact the apparel industry in the domestic market through dynamic lobbying with both government and non-government organisations.

While encouraging the development of brands to cater to the domestic market, it will continually assess and evaluate the volumes generated by branded domestic manufacturers and seek the attention of policy makers by highlighting the contribution made to the economy.

Photo caption: Economic Development Minister Hon. Basil Rajapakse launches the new website of the Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association – www.srilankabrands.com. Also in the picture are (from left) Secretary of SLABA Shakir Hafeez and President of SLABA Indradatta Dharmawardane.