FTA will not affect local enterprises - PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The National Export Strategy (NES) for the years 2018 to 2022 was launched today (July 19).The project was led by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade as well as the Export Development Board. The NES focuses on six sectors for the innovation and export diversification. These six sectors include Spices and Concentrates, Wellness tourism, Electrical and Electronic components, IT and BPM, Processed food and beverages and boat building. Addressing those gathered, Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade Malik Samarawickrama stated that the launch of this five-year National exports strategy is aimed at accelerating Sri Lanka's export growth, creating jobs in the export sector and also attracting Foreign Direct Investments to export-oriented sectors. Expressing views, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe stated that this is not only an export strategy but also jobs and income strategy.  The PM also assured that the FTA signed with Singapore would not apply for the free movement of people and that none of the domestic enterprises would be adversely affected. "Our domestic enterprises have withstood the opening of the markets in 77'. We are now bringing first time a  trade adjustment policy-----You can't have money unless you earn your foreign exchange." added the Prime Minister.