Outstanding export sector players receive Presidential awards

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that in the future too many unpopular decisions will have to be taken to overcome the global economic challenges and to keep the country on the path to prosperity. 

Even though the people criticized these interventions, the country and the people would reap the benefits in the near future, the President stressed.

“I urge you to recognise and understand that these measures are being imposed because we have little other choice in our present situation,” the President further said.

The President made these remarks addressing the ‘Presidential Export Awards Ceremony’ held at the BMICH recently. 

The Presidential Export Awards (PEA) were initiated by the Export Development Board in 1981, and this marked the 24th Awards Ceremony.

This is the highest and most exclusive award an exporter can receive in Sri Lanka and the Presidential Awards are given to exporters who have made the highest contribution to the development of the export sector.

This year, 63 outstanding export companies of Sri Lanka received the awards for the financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21. The award winners were selected by a panel of judges chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge.

The President appreciated the commitment and the courage of exporters in the face of COVID-19 epidemic.

A number of new aAwards such as ‘Best Exporter in Product Diversification,’ ‘Best Value Added Exporter of the Year,’ ‘Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets’ and ‘Emerging Exporter of the Year’ as well as new sectoral awards were introduced at this year’s ceremony.

The President presented 24 awards.

“Several policy interventions such as the restrictions on certain imports in place since last year, have had beneficial consequences. They have created space for new local industries to develop. It is essential that these new industries are fostered intelligently,” President said.

“Instead of short-term profiteering through reducing quality and creating artificial shortages, these new industries should strive to create quality products that could become globally competitive. This will be to everybody’s benefit,” he added. 

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that steps will be taken to promote the export sector under a clear export development plan from next year.