• Exporters say certain Western brands have already conveyed interest

Sri Lanka apparel exporters are looking to supply to new brands in an attempt to revive export volumes and create competition among existing brands, an apparel exporter said.

Speaking to The Loadstar, Sean Van Dort of the Sri Lanka Shippers Council said that apparel exporters are looking for new brands that could benefit from Sri Lanka’s capacity and expertise in apparel manufacturing.

“We are looking for new brands that could benefit from these searches (for new brands) to help stir existing brands, as it makes them worried that if we land a new brand, they will lose that manufacturing capacity. We have had brand managers telling us to expect a surge in orders in Q2 as their stocks need replenishing. We’re hopeful,” he said to The Loadstar.

Moreover, when The Daily Morning Business contacted Van Dort, he said that most new brands go to countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and Bangladesh, while some brands are not even manufactured in Sri Lanka, adding that “if we can get some of those brands, it would be good for the country”.

He said some Western brands have already conveyed interest in working with apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka.

He further said that apparel exporters are always on the lookout to work with sustainable ethical brands to enhance exporters’ capabilities.

However, he also noted that the advantage for new brands would not be in terms of cost but in terms of 35 years of apparel manufacturing excellence in Sri Lanka.

“We might not be the cheapest destination, but we are certainly a good manufacturer,” he added. 

Apparel and textile exports in 2022 saw a record high of $ 5.9 billion, with around $ 3 billion exported to US and UK markets.