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Exports slightly below $ 1 b in September

29 Oct 2021

 
  • Performance remarkable amidst lockdown: EDB Chief
  • Export earnings $ 8.8 b in first 9 months  
  Export earnings of Sri Lanka have been able to record $ 995.8 million during the month of September 2021, which is a little less than $ 1 billion monthly earnings, the country’s exports recorded in the previous months.  Speaking on the export earnings, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Suresh de Mel said: “Observing the export figures of September, it is remarkable to see that our exporters performed this well amidst travel restrictions and lockdowns due to the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Exports show a strong resilience with both merchandise and services exports performing well. We are confident that this trend will continue, and I commend all our exporters for their commitment to support the national economy by bringing in the much-needed foreign exchange. My staff and I at the EDB are committed to facilitating the export sector and pledge our support to all exporters during these challenging times.”  In accordance with the statistics provided by Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise exports recorded during the third quarter (Q3) of 2021 increased by 5% to $ 82.83 million compared to the same period in the previous year. At the same time, exports increased by 6.7% compared to the same period in 2019. Accordingly, export earnings from apparel and textile increased by 5.83% year-over-year (YoY) to $ 457.05 million in September 2021 with significant performance in exports of apparel (7.71%) and woven fabrics (62.73%). However, the earnings in September 2021 is a decrease of earnings in comparison to the one of August 2021. With regard to exports from rubber and rubber finished products, they have increased by 20.04% YoY to $ 96.09 million in September 2021, in exports of industrial surgical gloves (47.65%), pneumatic retreated rubber tyres tubes (15.31%), and gaskets, washers, and seals of hard rubber (28.72%). Further, in terms of the period from January to September 2021, merchandise exports increased by 19.3% to $ 8,881.93 million in comparison to the corresponding period of 2020, following increased exports of almost all the major product sectors; apparel and textiles, tea, rubber-based products, coconut-based products, electronics and electronic components, spices and concentrates, and seafood and ornamental fish. During the past three months of June, July, and August, export earnings were able to pass the mark of $ 1 billion each month consecutively. 


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