Dahas Diriya scheme of the Export Development Board (EDB) was launched yesterday to project Sri Lanka as a potential export hub and re-vamp flagging interest. Chairman EDB Rohantha Athukorala said that this scheme was introduced to project a dynamic image of the EDB not merely as a rubber stamp bureaucratic entity but an active facilitator for promotion of exports. He said that the export sector was presently positioned 72 in an international rating scale of 1 to 100 and time was now opportune that the export sector ascends from a poor status rating to a globally recognised competitor prepared to compete in the rough and tumble of the international market place.

Present at the launch was Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development, Rohitha Bogollagama, Deputy Minister Hussain Bhaila, Secretary Ministry of finance Dr. P.B.Jayasundera , Secretary Ministry of industry Tourism and investment Promotion Dr. Upananda Withanapathirana among others .

Apart from entering the global market place it was now our call to compete internationally on common standards of trade and product excellence and not continue to adhere to the ‘Poverty Exportation’ cipher any more, said Dr. P.B.Jayasundera. He said that what was essential was to raise export levels to meet global volumes and have prospective buyers establish supplier hub ex Sri Lanka and when that is reached retain this source as a matter of routine rather than move away to other supplier locations.

This was not going to be easy but with the impetus now initiated by the EDB expectations were high that this time combined efforts of the Private and Public sectors would have a unifying effect on market catchments and the possibility of joint initiatives with neighbouring countries, he said.

Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that his intention was to translate the new direction of the EDB to actual performance, and with that end in view he would initiate facilitatory schemes to achieve the end target of adding prestige to the tag line of Sri Lanka being an established trade link to prove dependability and credibility.