On The Occasion of the Made in Sri Lanka Trade Fair 2021

Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister
Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries
Mr. Anushka Gunasinghe, Chairman of the National Enterprise
Development Authority
H.E. Mr. Eric Lavertu, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Good Morning, Ayu Bowan, Wanakkam, おはようございます。
 
I am honored to participate in “the Made in Sri Lanka Trade Fair 2021” today and would like to commend Mr. Anushka Gunasinghe, chairman of the National Enterprise Development Authority and his team for organizing this event in the midst of unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19.  I appreciate the kind invitation and it is my great pleasure to speak a few words at this august event.
 
At the outset, on behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to express solidarity with the people and Government of Sri Lanka in   combatting against COVID-19.  Japan’s assistance to Sri Lanka in its fight against COVID-19 amounts to 9.6 million USD and stretches over wide-raging areas, including essential support for children and expectant women, welfare of repatriated Sri Lankan nationals, awareness campaign on matters related to health and sanitation, strengthening quarantine facilities as well as providing medical equipment and technical assistance to frontline healthcare workers.
 
I would like to start by congratulating the Ministry of Industries and the National Enterprise Development Authority for their great efforts in inspiring and empowering micro-, small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.  I am impressed by the launching of the “Made in Sri Lanka” program last December, which is an innovative brand strategy to inspire aspirant Sri Lankan MSMEs, providing a marketplace and due recognition for Sri Lankan goods, locally and globally.
 
Sri Lanka is renowned globally for exquisite arts and crafts, high-end apparel products, high-quality teas, beautiful gems and jewelry, and Ayurveda, to name a few.  There are, however, more unique and wonderful products and services, which are “made in Sri Lanka” and wait to be known locally and globally.  I am sure that the “Made in Sri Lanka” campaign and this follow-up trade fair event will help realize this untapped potential of uniquely Sri Lankan products and services.  And the success of this campaign will lead to more market opportunities for MSMEs, which are the backbone for the economic growth of Sri Lanka. 
 
Japan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed close friendship for a long time.  Trade and investment are an important part of our multifaceted relationship and Sri Lanka and Japan have been close trade partners. Sri Lanka has already established itself in Japan as the provider of high-quality Ceylon Tea, precious gems, jewelry and Ayurveda.  There is, however, untapped potential to expand and diversify Sri Lanka’s export to Japan.  Building upon the good efforts by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan to promote Sri Lankan products to the Japanese people, the “Made in Sri Lanka” campaign is expected to further enhance the Sri Lankan reputation in Japan as source of more diversified and attractive products and services. Our embassy will extend its fullest support to assist the Government of Sri Lanka in this regard.    
In addition, Japanese companies, after experiencing serious disruptions to global supply chains caused by the COVID-19 which resulted in shortages of various products, keenly feel the need to diversify production bases.  I hope there will be opportunities here to strengthen further trade relations between our two countries.
 
Let me conclude by wishing success for “Made in Sri Lanka Trade Fair 2021” as well as for the continued efforts of the Ministry of Industries   and the NEDA under the leadership of Hon. Minister Weerawansa and Chairman Gunasinghe respectively in assisting and developing micro-, small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs.
 
Thank you very much for your attention and wish you all a pleasant day.