Government facilitates exporters to maintain supply chains
View(s):The Government, battling with the coronavirus crisis, has assured that affected exporters will be provided with logistical and other assistance for the exportation of their already finished products and to meet the deadline of their export orders.
The Ports and Shipping Ministry will be coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to expedite the arrangements including clearance of finished goods shipments on time, ministry sources said.
This was a result of requests made by local exporters to Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando to provide assistance to clear a huge stock of finished goods ready for export.
If the government fails to intervene in preventing the delay of their shipments caused by the corona virus then their export orders would face risk of cancellation by foreign buyers, a large number of exporters informed the minister.
Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping Priyantha Mayadunne has been directed to find solutions to the problems of exporters following discussions with relevant ministries and agencies.
Exporters pointed out to the minister that shipping agents have suspended their services owing to the curfew and they are facing cargo and logistic problems including the container transportation issues.
Minister Fernando has directed port authorities to facilitate it by providing container and other facilities required by exporters to export their products on time meeting their deadlines.
Meanwhile export industries in Sri Lanka which depend on inputs from China are looking for alternative source markets with fears of a bigger fallout if the crisis continues.