The Government has ensured the growth of exports by more than 15% in recent months not only bring the country a larger volume of foreign exchange, but also enables the rural sector to reap the benefits in abundant measure, Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, said in Matale on Saturday.

He was inaugurating a programme for developing foliage exports in the Matale area with vigorous participation of farmers' societies and export oriented companies.

The Minister referring to the importance of diversification pointed out that the largest volumes of foreign exchange is generated today by non-traditional exports. He cited as an example the phenomenal performance of the apparel sector which had put Sri Lanka on the international map as a global leader.

His Ministry had been at great pains to identify the industries which could appropriately be developed in different regions of the country, having regard to such factors as geographical location, climate, soil and cultural factors. He described the initiatives which had been successfully pursued in respect of fruit and vegetable cultivation in the Anuradhapura district, aquarium fish projects in Polonnaruwa, plantain and juggery projects in Ratnapura, the focus on coir products in the Kurunegala and Puttalam areas and lace making and handicrafts in Galle.

Prof. Peiris referred to the immense potential clearly available in the Matale district, with its particularly congenial environment. The district, he said is especially -suitable for the development of cocoa, spices and gems- and jewellery.

Recent investigations demonstrate beyond doubt the suitability of Matale district for foliage cultivation. Minister Peiris said that the export promotion village has been refined and developed as a vehicle for uplifting conditions in the rural sector and bringing the immense benefits of exports within the reach of rural communities.

With this objective in view, he observed, systematic programmes have been developed to make available to farmers' societies the information they require with regard to methods of cultivation, and provide seed material and marketing facilities.

In the latter respect, Minister Peiris attributed special importance to the contract which the Ministry had successfully negotiated between the farmers' societies and the private sector, which had the effect of providing the producers in the Matale area with security regarding the marketing of their products for a period of 5 years.

Prof Peiris said that export income from cut flowers had increased by 30% and from foliage by 20%, last year. There is a significant demand for foliage in European markets, especially in the Netherlands, he said.

Mr. S. Ranugge, Secretary to the Ministry, Sanath Manuwendra, General Manager of Greenet Plants and flowers (Pvt) Ltd. and Mr. Wimalasena Weerawardana representing the farmers' associations, together with officials of the Export Development Board, were associated with the Minister at this event.