The Government will put up an industry policy as an Act this year to ensure policy consistency, provide adequate support raw material for manufacturing and end dumping of low quality products in the country said Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe.
The Deputy Minister was addressing the gathering at the Footwear and Leather Products Exhibition at the BMICH on Thursday.
“Leather and footwear is no longer an exclusive local market. It is today a global market. Therefore local manufacturers have to be competitive and quality conscious,” the Deputy Minister said.
He said manufactures will have to look at how to capture the waste market that offers many opportunities for the footwear and leather products industry.
“It is nice to see all competing brands coming under one roof to showcase its strength and support the economy together. This is how we need to work to build a brand and the economy, not in isolation,” he said, adding that 30 to 40 years the country did not have a manufacturing policy and that’s why people realised there has to be a change and a government that support the manufacturing economy was formed.
He said in a global economy having trade barriers is not the way to go. There can be many non tariff barriers for a fair and level playing field for all players.
“Reducing the cost of production and ensuring a seamless supply of raw materials is crucial to develop the manufacturing sector of the country,” the Deputy Minister said.
