Apparel Buzz

Sri Lanka thanks US for the supporting initiatives on trade and development extended in the country’s new economic upswing. "We thank the US for its continued support, including trade and development assistance. The US has become the top-most buyer of Sri Lanka’s apparels which is another sign of continuously improving trade cooperation between both countries" said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Design is a professional pathway that offers more choices than most conventional careers. As it becomes more and more important to the industrial world, the design sector has expanded to include new creative careers. Mario Sittampalam who graduated as a fashion designer from AOD, is a designer who transformed his life by leading the way in a new creative career. Combining the use of his formal fashion education at AOD with his natural skills in leadership Mario is currently the Manager Design and Development at MAS Active Nirmaana Ltd.

Triumph, one of the world’s leading lingerie and shape-wear brands, challenges young students from all over the world with the fifth Triumph Inspiration Award, the industry’s leading design contest in lingerie. The national preliminary workshop for all Sri Lankan participants was held on 2 April at the Galle Face Hotel. The national finals will be held on 25 May in the presence of a renowned jury of fashion, design and media.

Sri Lanka ranked 21 in A T Kearney global outsourcing report

Sri Lanka’s fledgling outsourcing business, has scored well in a recent A T Kearney study, which gave high marks for the island’s skilled talent pool and a strong business environment at competitive costs.

Sri Lankan apparel giant MAS Holdings will begin its foray into the north as two major divisions formalise plans to build manufacturing facilities, MAS Intimates Vidiyal and MAS Active Vaanavil, in Kilinochchi.

Textured Jersey Lanka Plc (TJL) said on Thursday that it was looking for a fabric mill and alternate energy sources as means to remain competitive amidst challenging market and operating conditions.

The value of apparel exports from Sri Lanka soared by more than 20% to break through the US$4bn barrier in 2011, according to the country's Export Development Board.

It is encouraging seeing that a private Sri Lankan company exporting to France creating jobs and employing women in a region where many of them are breadwinners. She was impressed to see how the Tamil and Sinhalese employees quickly developed a team spirit despite the language barrier, the French ambassador in Colombo had stated when she visited the Vanni region recently.

China may lose out on approximately US$ 8.5 billion worth of garment exports during the current year due to the rising cost for production of apparels in that country, according to a report released by Capital Alliance Limited, a Colombo-based full-service investment bank.

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is on an upward movement and the country is gaining momentum as a reputed garment supplier, British High Commissioner John Rankin said.“It was impressive to learn that for the Athens Olympics, the fast skin swimwear by UK owned Speedo was manufactured in Sri Lanka. It is understood that Nike’s track and field outfits for the London Olympics will be made in Sri Lanka, he said at the Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association 19th AGM held recently.

Sri Lanka's apparel manufacturers see export demand holding up this year despite concerns about a slowing European economy, thanks to a focus on ethical manufacturing, factory investment, and the arrival of new international buyers. Dilshami Samaraweera spoke with firms showcasing their products at the recent Sri Lanka Expo 2012.

Over 3000 employment inquiries at the JAAF stall at Deyata Kirula

Sri Lanka’s largest export sector creates a significant presence at EXPO 2012

With more and more companies seeking ways to be more environmentally friendly, businesses globally are applying green processes at the workplace to create a healthy environment for employees and recognise the role that businesses play in leading the way for social change.

Sri Lanka is ripe for investment and should exploit its strategic location to attract more foreign investment, while not losing focus on its traditional markets were the general views expressed at the Expo 2012 Symposium on Trade, Investment and Tourism.

British High Commissioner John Rankin said he will encourage more UK companies to consider Sri Lanka as an ethical and profitable trading partner and source of supply, appreciating the Government’s efforts to improve the business environment by tackling existing barriers to trade and streamlining bureaucracy.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday turned a true marketer, pitching for higher foreign investments and sourcing of  ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ products and services, whilst sending a strong message to the international political community.

H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa uses an iPad to switch on an innovative 3D video mapping technique at the Brandix stall at Sri Lanka Expo 2012, which opened yesterday. One of the highlights of the stall was the use of video mapping to attire a mannequin in the apparel manufactured by Brandix for top international labels. Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar and CEO Corporate Marketing M. Raghuraman (2nd and extreme right respectively) and EDB Chairman Janaka Ratnayake (left) are also in the picture. Brandix is Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter and the Strategic Partner of Sri Lanka Expo 2012.

South Asia Textiles Industries Lanka (SAT), a premier fabric manufacturer in Sri Lanka and subsidiary to Ceylon Leather Products PLC – CLPL under Environmental Resources Investment PLC (ERI), recently received certification in the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). With consumer demands for ecologically and socially responsible textile production ever-increasing, the GOTS certification of SAT could not be more timely or appropriate.

“We thank the US for being our top apparel customer,” says Rishad
The US is keen to promote further trade and investments in the resurgent Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka Expo 2012 is a great idea. Our arrival here for Expo 2012 is also to notify the world that Sri Lanka is back on the world stage,” said Michael J Delaney, Assistant US Trade Representative of South and Central Asia.