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Dankotuwa Porcelain Limited won the gold award for the most outstanding exporter of Sri Lanka in year 2004 while Ceylon Biscuits Limited won the Silver award at the 13th National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) export award ceremony held in Colombo on Friday.

Dankotuwa Porcelain limited also won the Gold medal for the best industrial sector exporter and Ceylon Biscuits Limited won the gold medal for best exporter in agricultural value added sector.

Daya Apparel Exports (pvt) Ltd won the gold award for the best women exporter. Eastern Food Specialities (PVT) Ltd won the gold medal for agricultural sector (bulk).Imperial Tea (Pvt) Ltd and Nicey International (Pvt) Ltd won gold medals for tea sector bulk and value added respectively.

In garment sector (quota) Superline International Garments (Pvt) Limited won the gold medal for the best exporter. Desmonds Mercury (PVT) Ltd and Tristar Apparel (Pvt) Ltd won the non quota sector best exporter gold awards.

Gem Cottage (Pvt) Ltd was the best exporter in Gem and Jewellery sector. Best Sri Lankan brand exporter award was won by Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd. NYK Line Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was the gold award winner in best service provider to the export sector category.

Addressing the gathering National Chamber of Exporters President Kingsley Bernard said that international competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports is on a downward trend compared to competitors in the region and globally because our exporters do not enjoy the same favourable conditions as their competitors. Therefore small and medium scale exporters of the country are badly in need of support from the government in identifying international markets and market opportunities.

Bernard said that due to lack of assistance the number of new entrepreneurs joining the export sector has declined while some older exporters are giving up exports.

Our exporters are even denied basic infrastructure facilities required for manufacturing. Cost of electricity is prohibitive, its supply and quality are far from satisfactory.

We are not happy with the long term plans for electricity generation and implementation of such plans either. The same is true with the road infrastructure and its maintenance. Cost of finance is also higher than our competitor countries in the region, Bernard said.

However the export sector has performed well in 2004 and during the first eight months of this year. In year 2004 exports grew at 12.2% in US$ terms compared to 9.2% in 2003. This trend continues and in the first eight months of this year it has recorded 2.7% growth despite the negative effects of the tsunami and the oil price hike, he said.

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