The digital export promotion program includes provision of market information, organizing webinars on market requirements and current trends, organizing virtual B2B meetings and participation in virtual trade fairs.
The EDB disseminated extensive market information in April this year, giving updated information on the foreign markets in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. The information includes current market scenario, export logistical readiness, new regulations, new market opportunities and emerging distribution/supply channels. A new web page has been created in the EDB website www.srilankabusiness.com and 59 reports have been published on the main markets for Sri Lankan export products. These are being updated frequently using the information received from the Sri Lanka Missions overseas through the Ministry of Foreign Relations. This information was also circulated to the export companies through Trade Chambers, Product Associations and by direct emailing .
The industry gap on required standards, certifications, and procedures for catering to new opportunities particularly on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is shared through a series of market specific webinars. A Webinar on USA Food and Drug Authority (FDA) requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for USA market was conducted for the apparel sector in collaboration with USA Embassy in Sri Lanka, USAID and Joint Apparel Association Forum, Sri Lanka(JAAF).
Webinars on USA standards applicable for PPE products and Post COVID economic recovery: Challenges and Opportunities - Tips for Sri Lanka- Experts views from Japan are scheduled to be conducted on 24 th June and 30 th June for USA and Japan market respectively in collaboration with Sri Lanka Missions and the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
EDB is in the process of creating an enabling environment conducive to organising new business linkages between Sri Lankan exporters and foreign business parties through virtual B2B meetings. Comprehensive engagement is being conducted to arrange a series of virtual B2B meetings for potential sectors in close coordination with Sri Lanka Missions overseas covering potential markets globally.
The first virtual B2B meeting was held with a Brazilian company on 11 th June, and the Sri Lankan company has commented as follows; “Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC appreciates the initiative taken by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board to facilitate Lion exports to Brazil, just after we resumed production
after the Covid 19 lockdown. The EDB linked us up with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil via a virtual meeting, where they were also involved in the initial discussion to appoint an agent in Brazil.” *Sharlene Adams - Head of Exports, Lion Brewery Ceylon Plc. Measures are also being taken by EDB with Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil to organize a series of virtual B2B meetings and webinars for other industries as well.
The EDB, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China, has already engaged with a potential service provider in China to set up a virtual Sri Lanka pavilion for a one year to facilitate B2B meetings for Sri Lankan companies.
EDB has selected 15 product sectors to organize virtual B2B meetings with Ministry of Foreign Relations and Sri Lanka Missions; electrical & electronics, boat building, ceramic & porcelain, coconut products, Ayurveda & spa Products and printing sectors will be considered for the initial round of B2Bs.
The EDB is also planning to organize Sri Lanka’s participation in virtual trade fairs in selected markets considering the constraints on organising physical participation in such events due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
