President invites Lankan exporters to contribute in rebuilding economy

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited Sri Lankan exporters to contribute in rebuilding the economy on a strong foundation at the 26th PresidentialExport Awards Ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), held on February 7, 2025, at BMICH.

The President, who was the Chief Guest, emphasized that the country faces challenges in securing market access due to its current economic standing and reiterated the necessity of seeking additional support. The President assured that the government is committed to supporting exporters in leveraging the existing economic stability to regain momentum.

The Presidential Export Award is the highest recognition conferred upon Sri Lankan exporters who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the export sector and economic progress and was initiated by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in 1981. A total of 14 Overall Awards and 51 Sectoral Awards for the financial year 2023/24 were presented under two main categories. The recipients of the Presidential Export Award Seal are entitled to use it as a marketing tool for three years.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Chairman and CEO, EDB, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with Parliamentarians, foreign diplomats participated.

Winners of the 14 Overall Awards for 2023/24 were:

1. Best SME Exporter of the Year: eMarketing Eye 2. Emerging Exporter of the Year: Link Natural Products 3. Woman Exporter of the Year: Ashok Garments 4. Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets: MAS Capital 5. Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain: MAS Capital 6. Innovative Export Service of the Year: OREL IT 7.

Innovative Export Product of the Year: Dipped Products 8. Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports: MAS Capital 9. Best Value-added Exporter of the Year: Sysco LABS Technologies 10. Best Exporter in Product Diversification: MAS Capital 11. Market Diversified Exporter of the Year: Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company 12. Globally Outreached Sri Lankan Brand of the Year: Akbar Brothers 13. Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year: MAS Capital 14. Exporter of the Year: MAS Capital

MAS named Exporter of the Year at 26th Annual Presidential Export Awards

Global apparel-tech conglomerate MAS Holdings has once again secured multiple top awards including the coveted Exporter of the Year, at the 26th Presidential Export Awards for 2023/24 on Friday, at BMICH. MAS distinguished itself among the honorees by claiming both overall and sectoral awards that reinforced the company’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s export economy.

Among the overall awards received were the top award of the day, Exporter of the Year, along with Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year, Best Exporter in Product Diversification, Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports, Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain, and Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets. Additionally, MAS won the Sectoral Award for Best Exporter – Apparel – Large Category.

“Our achievement today is powered by the dedication and hard work of our 70,000 team members in Sri Lanka, whose passion and resilience carries our organization forward. From the production floor to our design hubs, their unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence embody the very best of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing capabilities,” MAS Holdings CEO, Suren Fernando said. Business units of MAS most recently won the Exporter of the Year Award for the financial years 2022/23 and 2021/22.

Source: Daily News