Colombo, 12 September, (Asiantribune.com): The Footwear Association of Sri Lanka has published its first monthly newsletter Footwear Newst to increase awareness of local small and medium sized footwear manufacturers.
Issuing a press notice Chairman of the Association Mr.K,L.Chandralal de Silva says small footwear manufacturers always need assistance of the large scale footwear manufacturers to obtain raw materials, subcontracts and other technical guidance to maintain their industries.
It is a way to achieve best growth through their efforts, Mr.Silva said.
The Association plans to assist 10,000 small-scale new industrialists to develop the local footwear industry within a short period.
These industrialists will receive further assistance from the industry and the association, he said.
The Association also planned to establish 50 large-scale footwear manufacturing companies to grab overseas market, providing quality footwear. A displaying center for all raw materials and finished products will be setup in a close proximity of the Colombo city to improve the local footwear industry.
Mr. de Silva also manages Bettans Shoe manufacturing company in Sri Lanka and said the local footwear manufacturers association would actively participate these exercises to grab more overseas opportunities to strengthen the industry.
Footwear News paper is one of our brainchild, which would promote the industry, the Chairman said.
Explaining current industry’s achievement, the Chairman said the industry still receives step motherly treatment from the responsible stakeholders. However the industry is still surviving, he said.
Responding queries of the media Mr.Silva noted a number of countries have came forward developing the footwear industry as their key industry.
We want to follow similar steps to develop this industry, he said.
Meanwhile, local footwear industrialists say they have to face more difficulties due to the multinational large scale footwear manufacturers, who dump their excess products into local market.
Immediate Past President of the Association Sarath Pathmalal said a well-planned industrial policy is needed to protect this ailing industry. The recent World Free Trade Agreement was a main reason that reduced tariff rates on imported footwear. However a number of European countries had imposed anti-dumping duty on Chinese footwear products to protect footwear industry in the third world.
Sri Lanka had imposed a similar duty, but it is not sufficient to control imports, he said.
