Accordingly, the objective is to expand the coconut-based export industry into a USD 2 billion sector and the food and beverage export industry into a USD 1 billion sector, and extensive discussions were held on the plans required to achieve these targets.
The President stated that the Government is prepared to provide every possible form of incentive necessary to promote export diversification and encourage value-added products.
Proposals and suggestions aimed at developing these industries were also presented during the meeting, and the President further noted that future plans would be formulated after taking all such proposals and recommendations into consideration.
The President also expressed agreement to provide incentives for establishing industries in the Northern Province and assured that the Government would extend its fullest support for setting up coconut-based manufacturing industries in the region.
Attention was also focused on plans to streamline the importation of raw materials required for export production while safeguarding domestic producers. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further stated that his Government's objective is to build the country's economy into an export-oriented production economy by strengthening domestic supply chains.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Thilaka Jayasundara; and Chairman of the Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe, were among those present.
Also attending were President of the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association, Aruna Senanayake; Vice President Rasika Seneviratne; Managing Director of CBL Group, Shyamali Wickramasinghe; Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Catering Ltd, Mangala Wijesekera; Managing Director of Ma's Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Ltd, Mario D. Alwis; Chairman of the Consumer Foods Sector of John Keells Food Holdings PLC, Daminda Gamlath; together with a number of leading business leaders from the food production sector.
