EDB opens services sector, unveils srilankaservicexport.com

February, 17, 2015

As Sri Lanka’s top service exports -ICT- started moving towards crucial US dollar one billion mark this year, the country’s apex exports body EDB announced a major initiative on 17 February to further diversify exports beyond merchandises and to move for service exports. “srilankaservicexport.com is the first, specialised web portal for all our service exporters and a one stop for them to link with international partners. This portal is absolutely free for exporters” said Saman Maldeni (Director, Export Services of SLEDB) on 17 February in Colombo.

EDB Director Maldeni was addressing the seminar on Opportunities for ‘Export Market for Sri Lanka’s Printing Sector’ organised by EDB and held on 17 February. Also joining the session were Sujatha Weerakoone (DG-EDB), Keerthi Gunawardena (Chairman-ICCSL), print exporters of Sri Lanka and Anselm B. Perera (Managing Director–Euro Scan Exports).

Sri Lanka’s service exports have been showing steady rise. In 2013, exports of ICT and construction services jumped by 8% to $774Mn from 2012’s $714 Mn and these do not contain printing service exports etc. The 2013 exports volumes of ICT and construction services are more than twice the volumes of 2009 at $358 Mn. In 2013, ICT exports alone surged by 21%.

“As per the vision of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena and Hon Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the guidance of exports Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, EDB continues to diversify its exports basket” said EDB Director Maldeni, and added: “srilankaservicexport.com is an online registration portal introduced by EDB. This is the first, specialised web portal aiming at our service exporters. It is a showcase of the capabilities of the Sri Lankan Service exporters to the world and more importantly, a one stop for our service exporters to find international partners. Not ICT and electronic exporters but even exporters of professional services, such as finance, accounting, legal, health, construction, pre-press & printing and ship repairing services. srilankaservicexport.com will also establish an ideal forum for the Sri Lankan service professional community to express their views and interact with each other on related industry issues. It is now open for registrations of services exporters. The services of this portal are absolutely free.”

EDB projects 2014 ICT exports to be around $820 Mn, and dollar one billion mark as early as 2015.

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