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Last Updated : 2024-04-27 00:40:00
Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters are forecasting a 30 percent drop in export orders with the main export markets, gripped by inflationary pressures, plunging into a recession.
Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association’s (SLAEA) newly-elected Chairman Indika Liyanahewage noted that the apparel exporters are forecasting around 30 percent decline in orders during the November-December period.
Sri Lanka’s main apparel exporting markets, the United States (US) and European Union (EU), are currently facing economic recissions coupled with inflationary pressures stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Liyanahewage expects these global headwinds to impact Sri Lanka’s apparel exports in the coming six months.
In addition, he cautioned that the removal of the dual corporate tax rate structure, which is set to increase the corporate income taxes on exports to 30 percent, up from earlier 14 percent, also threatens the competitiveness of the country’s exports, in particular when competing with countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.
“We are willing to pay taxes. It’s not a problem. The problem is that how competitive we are in the global market. We need a level playing field in the world market,” he added.
Further, he feared that the proposed changes to the personal income tax structure could also fuel brain drain from the country, further impacting the industry.
“Our competitive advantage is knowledge and innovation. We are already struggling to retain our skilled workforce under the current economic environment. We are a very efficient sector. We work hard and earn. If our tax money goes to pay someone who is not efficient, we are worried,” Liyanahewage said.
According to SLAEA immediate past Chairman Aroon Hirdaramani, the apparel exports are expected to reach US $ 5.5 billion at end of this year, up from US $ 5.4 billion recorded last year, however, below the industry forecast of US $ 6 billion.
Despite turbulence ahead, Hirdaramani outlined 2022 as a record year for Sri Lanka’s apparel exports.
Ranil knows Aragalaya! Thursday, 24 November 2022 08:23 AM
"Our tax money goes to pay someone who is not efficient." This definitely points to the 225 parliamentarians who are a dead weight around the neck of every citizen in the country. May be this is the next goal of Aragalaya, and may be Ranil knows it!
Is a necessary evil to keep dollars overseass Thursday, 24 November 2022 08:53 AM
Government and Central Bank must free/float the rupee and get rid of exchange controls, otherwise exporters need to do the necessary evil of not sending back dollars, which will cause them 70-110% conversion rate losses to them. Being able to send dollars directly for import orders is hampered because the exchange controls, doubling the losses.
Tariq Thursday, 24 November 2022 10:11 AM
Very nice. Sri Lankan businesses don't want to pay TAXES neither do they want INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.
Sunil Adikaram Thursday, 24 November 2022 01:10 PM
Why the government is not focusing on other potential export products. Our sea area is almost 9 times bigger than the land area. Tuna Fish from our region is having a big demand. Though the purchasing power has dropped in US and EU countries they do spend on food items. Correct focus on this industry without individual gains and commissions of the politicians and the officials involved can generate a good volume of Foreign Reserves.
Dilshan Perera Thursday, 24 November 2022 06:54 PM
$5.5 billion dollars is a tiny sum for a national exports industry.. garment owners were never able to think big.. now they are stuck here.. why not focus on newer markets not affected by Euro-war.. such as middle east, south America or even Russia?
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