The Sri Lankan Apparel Industry's island-wide campaign to showcase its national image and further its role as a major contributor to regional and economic development of the country received a further boost following the endorsement and support extended towards this programme by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.
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| JAFF stall at Dayata Kirula exhibition |
“The Minister hailed the industry’s continued commitment and focus in promoting the local garment services which has won world acclaim from leading brands and buyers of international repute. He specifically thanked the industry workers from operational grades to decision makers and planners for maintaining high standards in manufacture strictly following ethical standards and accepted employment norms for all workers,” according to a statement issued by industry body, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).
The Minister had pointed out that President Mahinda Rajapaksa looked forward to the industry playing a bigger role in years to come, propelled by the current budget proposal which indicates that the government would extend its fullest support in achieving this goal.
JAAF said it received an unprecedented response from the visitors who attended the Dayata Kirula 2011 exhibition and fair in Buttala recently. The event drew large numbers of youth from surrounding areas, who came forward to support the industry and expressed their willingness to join the apparel sector at different levels of employment. JAAF says it’s processing a large amount of applications received at Dayata Kirula, which will be handed over to the relevant factories for their consideration.
It said the industry has presently created around 400,000 jobs in various manufacturing processes from designing and pattern-making, to cutting and sewing, and accounts across the country.
This widespread presence of the industry also makes it one of the most significant contributors to employment generation and poverty reduction in the regions.
“The apparel industry is a major contributor to the national economy and we consider it a 'flagship service' of Sri Lanka within the international market, that has attracted major international buyers, brands and apparel houses and acts as a road map for macro development,” JAAF quoted the Minister as saying in comments he made to the industry body.
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