COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s minister of foreign relations Dinesh Gunawardena has advised authorities to explore new export markets for Sri Lankan products, days after a central bank report showed the country’s trade deficit had widened due to a drop in exports.

The central bank report showed that the country’s trade deficit had widened in January after merchandise exports only drew in 1005 million dollars, a situation analysts say could push Sri Lanka to an economic recession this year.

Accordingly, the minister in a meeting with officials on Friday had advised to explore new export markets for Sri Lankan products such as tea and to consolidate existing markets for products such as apparel.

Gunawardena had also discussed steps that could be taken to assist Sri Lankans residing overseas in the backdrop of the COVID – 19 virus, a statement issued by the foreign ministry said.

On the same lines, he had instructed officials to work closely with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to address the issues of migrant workers, especially in the Middle East.

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