The government is taking steps to streamline trade facilitation, customs processes, investment approvals, and improve export facilities – PM

Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani, JadeTimes Staff

V . E . K . Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering innovation

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Image Source -: The Official Government News

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government is working to strengthen local exporters by improving trade facilitation, making customs procedures and investment approvals more efficient, and upgrading export services.

She made these comments at the 27th Presidential Export Awards 2024/25, organized by the Ministry of Industries and Industrial Development together with the Export Development Board.

The event recognized the top exporters of Sri Lanka for the financial year 2024/2025. A total of 107 awards were presented, including 15 overall awards and 92 sectoral awards covering both products and services. Merit awards were also given based on performance and contribution to national economic growth. Selection criteria included market diversification, job creation, increases in export revenue, repatriation of export income, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and value addition.

Institutions that showed outstanding performance in the export sector received Presidential Export Awards. The ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Industries and Industrial Development Sunil Hadunnetti.

In her remarks, the Prime Minister noted that the awards ceremony is a reminder that Sri Lanka’s progress depends not only on policy and administration, but on the ability to produce, create value, and compete internationally.

She said the past year brought many challenges. Global markets and supply chains were disrupted, economic uncertainty grew, and the country faced natural disasters. Exporters had to adjust, reorganize production, diversify customers, and adopt digital technologies to stay competitive.

The Ditwah cyclone caused further setbacks. It damaged production sites, storage facilities, and transport routes in several export-related industries. Production chains and delivery schedules were affected, and some exporters struggled to meet international demand.

The government is taking steps to help exporters by assessing their losses, restoring operations, and supporting their recovery. It is also working to strengthen resilience to future natural disasters and rebuild affected areas in ways that reduce future risk.

Dr. Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka is undergoing an economic shift after years of instability, policy inconsistency, and administrative inefficiency. These issues weakened investor confidence and made long-term planning difficult. The current government is committed to stability, transparency, and accountability through strong fiscal management, predictable policies, simplified regulations, anti-corruption efforts, major institutional reforms, and support for the private sector.

She also said the country can no longer rely heavily on international loans to fund national expenses. Long-term progress depends on earning through trade, innovation, and global engagement. She stressed that the skills and creativity of Sri Lankan exporters are vital to the nation’s future, and the government is ready to provide the support they need.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that exporters have been affected by policy inconsistencies, delays that increase costs, limited access to competitive financing, and gaps in infrastructure, technology, and market access. She assured that these issues are being addressed.

She added that the government is focused on building efficient, transparent, and predictable systems, streamlining trade facilitation, customs processes, and investment approvals, improving export facilities, and reducing the gap between local businesses and global markets.

The event was attended by Ministers Kumara Jayakody, Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, and Sunil Kumara Gamage; Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abesingha, Eranga Weerarathna, Arun Hemachandra, Nishantha Jayaweera, and Muditha Hansaka Wijayamuni; Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe; Ministry Secretary Tilaka Jayasundara; Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe; ambassadors, foreign delegates, exporters, and many others.