Sunday, February 28, 2010
Present status of E.M.S. facility offered at the 'N.G.J.A.'
Date : 23.02.2010
Dear All,
1). In accordance with our request made on 11.12.2009 a meeting was convened by the Post Master General on 16.02.2010. This meeting was Chaired by him and the participants included Chairman E.D.B., Actg. D.D.G.– N.G.J.A., D.G.M.(S.L.I.C.), Secretary & Executive committee members of ‘S.L.G.J.A.’ among others.
2). Following decisions were taken at the meeting.
(a) Instead by ‘E.M.S.’, Gem & Jewellery parcels have to be sent under insured
letter category in the future. This category of parcels are also transported in the same flight along with E.M.S. category mail. Therefore there will not be any undue delays, and the parcels will be acknowledged on delivery and the exporters will have to incur a lesser cost.
(b) Insurance cover for the parcel has to be obtained by the exporter from SLIC
Ltd or any authorized Insurer. It is not necessary to obtain additional
insurance cover from Postal Department. It will be compulsory to affix a
sticker indicating insurance cover and a bar Code label on the parcel.
(c) Postal Department will develop a special page on their website for gem
and jewellery exporters to enable them to track the movements of their
export parcels.
Submitted for your kind information.
Ajith Perera
Actg. Deputy Director General
National Gem & Jewellery Authority
BUSINESS PROMOTION MISSION TO INDIA – COCHIN, COIMBATORE & CHENNAI
Introduction
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will organise a Business Promotion Mission to Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai, India from April 25 – May 1, 2010.
Objectives
The objectives of this mission are to strengthen trade ties, establish business links, source suitable business partners in the areas of Trade, Investment, Joint Ventures, technology transfer and services.
Focus of the Mission
Meetings with the business communities and officials & members of Kerala Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in cochin, The Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Coimbatore, Andhra Chamber of Commerce and India – ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Chennai,
Total Cost
Rs.191,956/48 (for 7 days) per person with five star accommodation (visa fee not included)
The total cost to be borne by the participant would comprise the Administrative fee of Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs.60,000/- + NBT + 12%VAT) cost of airfare Rs.29,300/- (economy class) & hotel accommodation for seven nights(approximately US$ 115 x Rs.116 x 7 = Rs.93,380/- five star hotel). The total cost inclusive of the VAT component is Rs.191,956/48. If all delegates are agreeable, we could identify a three star hotel which would cost about US$ 65 in Cochin & Coimbatore. Chennai will be higher. We shall try to negotiate either a five or three star hotel according to the majority preference of the delegates.
We are targeting at a 6 - 8 member delegation and registration will be on first come-first served basis
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS PLEASE REFER ATTACHED CIRCULAR
Puvi Domingopillai
Consultant
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
No. 50, Navam Mawatha
Colombo 2
Sri Lanka.
Tel. 009411 2-326096-5-588802,009411-2-421745-6
Fax. 009411-2-437477, 009411-2-449352
E-mail - puvi@chamber.lk
Web - www.chamber.lk and www.bip.lk for your information needs
--------------------- Attachment ---------------------------
THE TENTATIVE PROGRAMME WILL BE AS FOLLOWS. THE DETAILED PROGRAMME WILL BE FORWARDED TO REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONCE IT IS FINALISED
April 25, 2010 - Departure Colombo/Cochin via Chennai by IT 062 at 1505
(Colombo/Chennai) Arrival in Chennai 1620
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Arrival in Cochin 2010
April 26, 2010
1000 - 1230 - Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Kerala
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI),
– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
1430 – 1630 - Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Cochin
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI),
– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
1800 - 1930 Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Indian
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI),
– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
April 27, 2010
-
April 28, 2010
08.30 - Departure to Coimbatore by road after breakfast
1500 – 1700 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of Indian
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore
– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
April 29, 2010 - Follow – up meetings on your own
April 29, 2010 - Departure Coimbatore/Chennai by IT 2906 at 1950
April 30, 2010
1000 – 1230 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of Andhra
Chamber of Commerce (ACC),
- Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
1500 – 1700 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of India –
ASEAN – Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IACCI),
- Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)
May 1, 2010 - Departure to Colombo by IT 061 at 1245
Arriva
TRADE
India - Sri Lanka Bilateral Trade Relations
Bilateral economic and commercial relations between India and Sri Lanka have been on a sharp increase, particularly following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1998. Trading under the FTA was implemented in the year 2000. In the last 10 years, our bilateral trade has grown exceptionally and India has emerged as the largest trade partner of Sri Lanka.
An examination of bilateral trade statistics between Sri Lanka and India makes it abundantly clear that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been a win-win for both Countries. The overall volume of trade has increased profusely. The basket of items being traded has also expanded. India has emerged as the largest source of imports and fourth largest export destination for Sri Lanka (rising from 16th rank in 2000). India is also now the largest trade partner of Sri Lanka. In terms of overall trade turnover, India is followed by USA and UK, who are largely importers of traditional Sri Lankan products such as garments and tea from Sri Lanka. In fact, India is the most balanced trade partner of Sri Lanka among the top five such partners in the sense both Sri Lankan exports and imports are rather substantial and trade turnover is not made up overwhelmingly by imports or exports, as is the case with other such partners.
As of now, 1180 tariff lines remain in the Sri Lankan negative list that includes Agriculture/livestock items, rubber products, paper products, Iron and Steel, machinery, and electrical items. On the Indian side, there are 429 items in the negative list, which include garments, plastic products and rubber products etc.
Main Items Exported from Sri Lanka
The main items of export from Sri Lanka in 2008 were: coffee, tea and spices (13.47%); electrical machinery and equipment (12.24%); vegetable fats and oils (10.88%); rubber and rubber products (8.53%); Residues and waste from food industry (8.03%); Machinery and mechanical appliances (4.59%); Paper/Paperboard/waste (4.54%); precious or semi-precious stones (4.5%); tugs and pusher craft (3.58%); copper and copper products (3.25%); and others (26.4%).
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Main Items exported from India to Sri Lanka
The main items of export from India in 2008 were: Mineral fuels/oils (34.39%); Vehicles other than Railway or Tramway (9.7%); Sugar (5.7%); Cotton (4.95%); Iron & Steel (3.71%); Pharmaceutical products (3.41%); Machinery and mechanical appliances (2.94%); Paper and Paperboard (2.42%); Edible vegetables (2.36%); Copper and copper products (2.25%); and others (28.17%).
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IMPACT OF FTA ON BILATERAL TRADE
Bilateral Trade Figures for last 10 years
Year | Imports from India | Exports to India | Total Trade | Trade Deficit for Sri Lanka | EXIM Ratio SL Imports: SL Exports |
All figures in US $ million, (FTA implemented in March 2000) | |||||
1999 | 512 | 49 | 561 | -463 | 10.4:1 |
2000 | 600 | 58 | 658 | -542 | 10.3:1 |
2001 | 602 | 72 | 674 | -530 | 8.4:1 |
2002 | 835 | 171 | 1006 | -664 | 4.9:1 |
2003 | 1076 | 241 | 1317 | -835 | 4.4:1 |
2004 | 1358 | 385 | 1743 | -973 | 3.5:1 |
2005 | 1399 | 559 | 1958 | -840 | 2.5:1 |
2006 | 1805 | 489 | 2294 | -1316 | 3.6:1 |
2007 | 2750 | 516 | 3266 | -2234 | 5.3:1 |
2008 | 2845 | 419 | 3265 | -2846 | 6.7:1 |
FLIGHT DETAILS
IT 062 25th April Colombo / Chennai Dep.1505/Arr.1620
IT 2485 25th April Chennai/Cochin Dep.1835/Arr.2010
IT 2906 29th April Coimbatore/Chennai Dep.1950/Arr.2105
IT 061 01st May Chennai/Colombo Dep.1245/Arr.1405
Airline - Kingfisher
Airfare (approximate cost)
Economy Class - Rs.29,300/- Per Person with all taxes
Visa fees – Rs. 350/- per person
PARTICIPATION COST
Administrative Cost
Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) per delegate will be charged being administrative cost to cover, local transport in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai, printing of mission brochures, Identity badges, communication cost, etc.
Hotel Accommodation (7 nights)
Five star accommodation approximately US$ 115 nett on Bed & Breakfast basis . We are trying to negotiate a good rate for the delegates. If all delegates are agreeable, we could identify a three star hotel which would cost about US$ 65 in Cochin & Coimbatore. Chennai will be higher. We shall try to negotiate either a five or three star hotel according to the majority preference of the delegates.
Please note that all delegates will be expected to stay in the same hotel.
Airfare:
Airfare (approximate cost)
Economy Class - Rs.29,300/- Per Person with all taxes
Total Cost
The total cost to be borne by the participant would comprise the Administrative fee of Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) cost of airfare Rs. 29,300/- (economy class) & hotel accommodation for 7 nights (approximately US$ 115 x Rs.116 x 7 = Rs. 93,380 five star hotel) The total cost inclusive of the VAT component is Rs.191,956/48 for seven days exclusive of visa fee. We shall try to negotiate better rates for the hotels in all three places.
We are targeting at a 6 - 8 member delegation and registration will be on first come-first served basis.
OFFICIAL TRAVEL AGENT
We are pleased to inform you that the Chamber has appointed Classic Travel (Pvt) Ltd., No.379/4, Galle Road, Colombo 3, as the Official Travel Agent for this mission. The ticketing and assistance to obtain visa will be handled by them. Participants who wish to do their own ticketing are welcome to do so. However, you are kindly requested to adhere to the flight schedule set out above. In the event the participants opt to do the ticketing through their travel agent, the visa formalities too will have to be handled by the same travel agent. The contact persons for Classic Travel (Pvt) Ltd. would be:
MR. DILSHAN GODFRED, Tel: 4524104/2577527-30, MOBILE: 0777 – 718564
MANORI RANASINGHE, TEL: 4524142/2577527-30, MOBILE: 0773 – 850388
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Members interested in joining this mission, are kindly requested to return the attached form duly perfected along with a cheque for Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) (admin cost) per participant drawn in favour of the ‘Ceylon Chamber of Commerce’ and a passport size photograph along with a clear copy of the passport on or before March 9, 2010. Please note that the passport should have at least six months validity.
Since arrangements have to be made to obtain visas and the profiles too have to be sent for matching by March 11, 2010, your immediate response would be greatly appreciated.
Whilst every effort will be made by the Chambers in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai to source suitable business partners for the mission members, participating delegates are also kindly advised to do their own market research with regard to potential/opportunities for the products/services they intend promoting into these markets.
We have requested the relevant Chambers in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai to provide us with a list of buyers/sellers in advance. The addresses will be passed on to the participants on receipt of the same. However, we wish to inform the participants that according to our past experience, we have not been successful in obtaining the list in advance. Hence, though we would strive to provide you with the addresses, since we depend totally on our counterparts overseas, we cannot guarantee this service.
Sgd.
(Mrs) I P Domingopillai
Consultant
Sri Lanka Jewelers is back!
Sri Lanka Jewelers blog is the oldest and most active blog for gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. I cover almost every industry activities in this blog. Now, you can keep coming to this blog to see whats going on in Sri Lankan gem and jewelry market.
There another good news for Sri Lankan gem and jewellery dealers as well as international gem and jewellery buyer and traders. There is another website is schedule to be launched within next 3 months to provide a better access to the Sri Lankan market. Information about this website is still unknown and will be updated on this blog as I get information.