President Rajapaksa restores Export Development Council after 28-year lapse

• First meeting chaired by President held at Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday
• To convene once a month to review future activities and to resolve export sector issues 
• Says damage caused to export sector in the past due to re-exports formidable
• Highlights need to review trade agreements immediately to bring in more benefits 
• Stresses need to improve efficiency of trade promotion officers in foreign missions

After a lapse of 28 years, the Export Development Council (EDC) was convened under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister 
Mahinda Rajapaksa this week.

The EDC was set up under Export Development Act in 1979 with the objective to resolve prevailing issues in the export sector by strengthening exporters. The Council is entrusted with the responsibility of policy formulation and providing approvals and recommendations.

President stated that the scope of the Council includes the development of exports by both public and private sectors and to accelerate the building of people-centric economy winning the global market.

Activating the EDC, the first meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.

As per the Act, President is the Chairman of the Council. It was agreed to convene the Council once a month to review future activities and to resolve current sector issues.

Emphasising on the responsibility delegated to the EDC to seek new market opportunities for exporters, President elaborated on the necessity of diversifying the export sector to cater to different demands of different countries. 

Most of the trade agreements signed in the past are not favourable to the country. President highlighted the need to review these agreements immediately to bring more benefits to the country.

He also pointed out the requirement of revising and modernising the National Trade Policy soon to address the issues in the export sector and to ensure its progress.

The establishment of export production villages to promote primary products of farmers in line with export market requirements was also discussed.

“The damage caused to the export sector in the past due to re-export is formidable. Re-exportation should be done in a manner to ensure safety of high quality crops which are endemic to the country while safeguarding both the farmer and the producer,” President stressed. 

Import of raw materials required for value added products should meet the highest standards under strict supervision.

President said he had personally instructed High Commissioners and Ambassadors to vigorously promote domestic products in the global market and to attract more investors.
He said targets will be set for everyone to achieve in the future and pointed out the need to improve the efficiency of trade promotion officers in foreign missions.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said it is important to create an attractive atmosphere for businessmen and investors by expanding facilities at airports.

Head of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival Basil Rajapaksa said that unnecessary rules and regulations that discourage exporters should be eliminated. 

Ministers Dinesh Gunawardene, Bandula Gunawardene, Douglas Devananda, Wimal Weerawansa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ramesh Pathirana and Rohitha Abeygunawardene, State Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekara and Prasanna Ranaweera, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Secretaries to Cabinet and State Ministries and heads of several government institutes were present during the discussion.