Stories

Making it easier to do business

16 February 2021
ITC News

Sri Lankan businesses get easy access to crucial information to help simplify import and export procedures.

The Sri Lanka Trade Information Portal is now equipped with a new feature. This new one-stop-shop for export and import procedures will benefit Sri Lankan traders by providing transparent and updated trade-related information on an interactive and user-friendly platform.

With the launch of this step-by-step procedures functionality, traders will have access to the information they need at their fingertips. It captures export and import procedures for selected products in a sequential order including requisite documentation, obtaining clearances from relevant authorities, cost details, turnaround time, legalities, and filing complaints.

This systematic guidance will enable traders to lower costs, reduce time spent searching for information and completing import and export transactions, carry out trade operations more efficiently and enhance their international business competitiveness.

The new feature will also assist the government of Sri Lanka to comply with a fundamental transparency provision of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) by providing web-based information and documentation related to imports, exports and transit procedures.

The Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka developed the functionality within the framework of the EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance project, funded by the European Union with the technical support of the International Trade Centre.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH also supported the preparation of the functionality feature.

The EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance project aims to increase the trade competitiveness of Sri Lankan small and medium businesses in regional and European markets.

Minister of Trade Hon. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena launched the feature in Colombo. H.E. Denis Chaibi, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives was also present at the ceremony. Dr. Mohammed Saeed, Senior Trade Facilitation Officer and Dr. Dayaratna Silva, National Project Coordinator, represented the International Trade Centre at the event.

Watch to learn more about the step-by-step procedures functionality feature.