Look beyond the export headlines: MTI

12 October 2015 04:02 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

MTI Consulting, based on its experience and thought leadership work in international trade strategizing, has highlighted important export policy and governance issues that Sri Lanka should address.

What is the bottom-line on exports?
Sri Lanka’s measurement of exports is entirely based on revenue (essentially top-line) and does not measure the degree of value addition that would help determine export profitability to the country, as this is what Sri Lanka will eventually benefit from. For instance, in the case of tea bags, the bagging machine, energy, paper, printing machines, printing inks and additional freight are mostly imported. With apparel too, there is a high import-input component. Therefore, the focus needs to be on the net value addition and not just the top-line. Having a consistent national formula for sector-wise value addition would help Sri Lanka to make more effective policy decisions. The export sectors must be told how much ‘value addition’ they have created for the economy, so that they are driven, rewarded and awarded by this key performance indicator (KPI) and not just top-line exports.

‘Show me the money’
Statistically, information communication technology (ICT) has recorded an impressive 23 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) (over the 10-year period). This, however, is based on a voluntary survey declaration by a sample of ICT companies, which is then extrapolated to a national figure. More importantly, this is based on ‘export value’ i.e. the value of exports at the customer’s end. It is nether the revenue earned for Sri Lanka, nor the cash inflow into Sri Lanka. This once again proves that our measurement of export revenue (as a top-line) is inconsistent and does not reflect the real export cash flow into the country.

Exports = ‘Made in Sri Lanka’?
As currently practised, what is considered export earnings is the declared value of a good when it leaves a Sri Lankan port, with no consideration or interest in what happens beyond that point. While this encourages maximum value addition within Sri Lanka, it does not encourage Sri Lankan companies to become multinationals – which will require varying degrees of in-country value addition in export markets and even multi-country sourcing - provided that the Sri Lankan exporters earn higher profits and that these profits are repatriated to Sri Lanka.

Supply chain vs. demand chain
The current approach to exports is based on each sector attempting to maximize its export revenue. Given the limited size of the Sri Lankan supply chain (natural and human resources) and the quantum increase in exports that is targeted (while ‘feeding’ the growing local demand), there is bound to be increasing competition for the country’s natural and human resources. Allowing this to be dictated entirely by the ‘invisible hand’ (market forces) may not be in the long term of strategic interest to the country and could also lead to socio-economic challenges. Therefore, a macro resource allocation model and policy is strongly recommended.

Ground realities
Over the last 10 years, Sri Lanka’s total exports have grown only by 7 percent (CAGR). During this 10-year period, apparel grew by 5 percent, tea by 8 percent and rubber by 12 percent (all in CAGR terms). These top sectors (including ICT) have continued to contribute as much as 70 percent to Sri Lanka’s exports. Tourism, unfortunately, is not captured as part of the published export compilations.

With the exception of the apparel sector and solid tyres, the supply chain for other sectors is highly fragmented, with most businesses being unable to scale up their operations. This fact has been proven by the 3700 plus Sri Lankan exporters who export over 30 diverse product categories. The share of branded and high-tech exports as a percentage of Sri Lanka’s total exports is very low, even when compared to relevant emerging Asian competitors. The extremely low spend on research and development (R&D) (as a nation) could be a contributory reason.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Look beyond the export headlines: MTI

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings