A media briefing was convened in Colombo ahead of the 21st Presidential Export Awards that will take place on Wednesday.

State Minister of International trade, Sujeewa Senasinghe, speaking to reporters today, said that attention will not only be drawn to traditional exports: but also towards encouraging new industries as well.

The state minister elaborated on future trade agreements as well.

The State Minister of International Trade stated:

We hope to enter into trade agreements with Singapore, China and India. And the advantage with China is that the market is large while India is ranked lower than us. However, they are growing at a pace and when we enter into agreements, we gain many advantages and this is because of the large scale of the market. We will also be able to enter in to Trans-Pacific partnerships. We also hope to enter into agreements with Europe, America and African nations

• Private buses to increase operations today (8)
• Rainfall and strong winds today (8)
• LP Gas price revision today (8)
• Do not subjugate Sri Lanka to Indo-Pacific agendas: Wimal
• All-party Govt: TNPF places conditions