Iraq looking for Lankan apparels, rubber in large volumes

June 21, 2012, 9:10 pm

article_image

Iraq’s wish list?:
Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka (left) discussing Iraq’s requirements with Kahtan Taha Khalaf, Iraqi Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Iraq, bulk of whose imports from Sri Lanka are Pure Ceylon Tea, is now eager for more and more Sri Lankan products, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced yesterday (21).

"Apart from Pure Ceylon Tea, we now want Sri Lankan apparels and raw rubber, none of which are being produced in Iraq," Kahtan Taha Khalaf, Iraqi Ambassador to Sri Lanka told Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka during his courtesy call on the minister, a press communiqué said.

"We really like Pure Ceylon Tea, which is the bulk of our imports from Sri Lanka. We now look for Sri Lankan apparels and raw rubber in strong volumes. There is no home production of either of these in Iraq. We import all our requirements of garments and rubber. We also invite Sri Lankan investors and businessmen to visit Iraq," Kahtan Taha Khalaf said. "We also invite strong business delegation to Baghdad Int’l Fair 2012 to be held in November," he added.

Bathiudeen, apprising Kahtan Taha Khalaf, said: "Our apparels have become a major export item as well as item of Sri Lanka Branding in global markets. In April this year we exported $ 295.5 Mn apparels. I invite Iraqi garment sales businesses and investors to Sri Lanka to invest here and begin joint ventures in apparel manufacturing. We also are able to supply your rubber needs but as per our export policy, we can abundantly supply the Iraqi markets with our value added rubber products. And we are looking forward to send a strong Sri Lankan trade and biz delegation to the Baghdad Int’l Fair 2012."

Bilateral trade between the two countries which stood at $ 8.76 Mn in 2003 had reached $ 37.5 Mn in 2009 with 98% of it being tea exports to Iraq. Sri Lanka was the major supplier of tea to Iraq with 65% of the total annual intake of our tea by Iraq until 1990, the ministry said.