Apparel delegation boosts the image of Sri Lankan garment industry in the United Kingdom

A delegation consisting of Sri Lanka’s Garment producers had a successful tour by meeting with UK buyers for apparels in Manchester and London during 24th, 26th and 27th of November.

The Sri Lanka High Commission’s Trade Division together with the Export Development Board, the European Chamber of Commerce and the East Midlands Textile Association organized a series of buyer – seller appointments, facilitating the 17 member Apparel Delegation to export a wider range of clothing, ranging from women fashion wear, men’s clothing, lingerie to children’s wear to the UK market.

Inaugurating the London programme of the exporters at the Marylebone Hotel, attended by prominent representatives of UK business and industry, the Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe noted that the UK being the largest market in the EU with around 30% of Sri Lanka’s total apparel exports accounts for 80% of Sri Lanka’s total exports to the UK at US$1 billion.

The High Commissioner further added, that the dependence of employment generation and socio-economic empowerment of rural people on the apparel sector is high and the apparel sector in Sri Lanka is constantly meeting the challenges of competition in the global market place with new strategies involving higher value added products, marketing, human resource development, ethical manufacturing and technological innovations.

The dynamism of the apparel industry in Sri Lanka is continually evolving and developing without undue reliance on preferential tariffs.

The Sri Lanka’s Garment Industry Delegation has considerably boosted the image of the garment industry of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom.

It was the first time over a decade that a major initiative of this nature has been undertaken in the UK, particularly to assist the small and medium industries in the apparel sector with a promotional thrust involving a dedicated web site, ‘Go Sri Lanka’ logo and brochures, publications and apparel media attention. The London College of Fashion also contributed in making this event a success.

It is reported that the ‘Go Sri Lanka’ promotions in Manchester following after the Spot Light on Manchester event conducted during August this year by the Sri Lanka Mission, London, during the visit of Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of International Trade to the UK met with very successful outcomes.

- Asian Tribune -