BOI entities’ 1H 2021 export value comes close to 2019 performance

The Board of Investment (BOI) enterprises have cumulatively achieved a year-to-date export value for the first six months of the year almost on par with 2019 pre-pandemic levels, BOI said recently.

“Year 2019 has been considered one of the best years for export growth in Sri Lanka’s history and the ongoing vaccination drive aims to support businesses to continue that momentum unhindered to surpass the 2019 full year export value,” the BOI said.

Sanjaya Mohottala, Chairman BOI said “Currently, BOI enterprises represent 85% of national industrial exports of Sri Lanka, and we remain committed to the safety of the people and the continued productivity of all manufacturing entities under our purview. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who supported the BOI in this vaccination drive. Furthermore, to have almost matched the 2019 year-to-date export value, amidst the debilitating effects of the COVD-19 pandemic, is a testament to the resilience of the country’s export capability. With a total workforce that is soon to be armed against the pandemic, we have every reason to be confident of pursuing an agenda of aggressive economic development for Sri Lanka.”

The BOI has completed administering the first dose of vaccine against the COVID-19 pandemic to employees of all 14 export processing zones across the country.

BOI is carrying out a simultaneous drive to inoculate employees in manufacturing entities under its purview outside of the zones as well. Through these initiatives, the BOI aims to administer the first dose of the vaccine to all employees totaling nearly 500,000 by mid of August this year.