Merchandise exports of the Board of Investment (BOI) enterprises from January to September this year amounted to US$ 6.6 bn. This is a 16% growth compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The 15 key performing sectors, which have shown over 19% of average growth in exports during the said period, include wearing apparel, rubber products, textiles and fabrics, electronic and electrical goods, fabricated metal products, marine/ fishing gear and accessories, footwear, leather products, PVC products, transport equipment, wood products, coir products, jewellery and lapidary and printed materials.
“The BOI has always been the forerunner of Sri Lanka’s export industry contributing over 65% to the country’s overall export earnings and 85% to the national industrial export earnings,” said BOI Chairman Raja Edirisuriya.
“The BOI is focusing on short-term and long-term strategic measures, which will result in increased FDI inflows to the country. As a short-term strategy to attract much-needed FDI, attracting and facilitating re-investments by existing companies while re-positioning Sri Lanka as a high-tech FDI destination based on Industry 4.0, developing new zones dedicated to priority sectors, and digitisation of the entire investor experience to ensure seamless delivery of services to investors can be identified as long-term strategic initiatives,” he said.
BOI DG Renuka M. Weerakone said, “The BOI as always has held its nerves and proved its excellence again, notwithstanding the spate of hardships. This becomes evident with the significant growth shown by our respective enterprises. “The BOI also looks forward to carrying on its service with the support of all stakeholders in pursuit of ensuring that Sri Lanka becomes the preferred investment destination in the region amid challenges while contributing to the national economy at large,” she said.