brand logo

‘Pandemic did not stop economic activity’

28 Apr 2021

  • Premier addresses 77th UNESCAP session

  During the 77th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Finance, stated that Sri Lankan exports continued to reach international markets amidst the pandemic.  Rajapaksa stated that the tourism sector restarted in January and on a further note added that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reduced policy rates and implemented several concessionary refinancing programmes to enhance economic activity amidst the pandemic. “Our Government is deeply committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. For this purpose, an Inter-ministerial Steering Committee on Sustainable Development has been formed under my leadership,” Rajapaksa stated.  He further stated that the Sri Lankan youth is an important component of the country’s development agenda, as the decade 2021 to 2030 has been declared the “Decade of Skills Development” in our country. “We are also keen on strengthening our regional ties and emphasise the need to accelerate the ‘South-South’ co-operation,” Rajapaksa commented.  The Prime Minister went to advise that UNESCAP should commit itself to being relevant and responsive with measures such as assisting small countries with pandemic recovery and vaccination programmes, encouraging growth of foreign employment opportunities. The Prime Minister commenced a video message which addressed the opening segment of the session by highlighting the importance for the commission to gather. Hence, this year’s theme is significant as countries work on strategies to overcome this pandemic, and start rebuilding economies and societies. “Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress in controlling the spread of Covid-19, recording a very low death rate and a high recovery rate through case detection, contact tracing, quarantining, and patient treatment,” Rajapaksa commented. This year’s meeting was conducted virtually from 26-29 April 2021, under the theme “Building Back Better from Crises through Regional Co-operation in Asia and the Pacific”.  While the Covid-19 pandemic dominated the discussions this year, other issues such as climate change, debt relief, investments, equitable health access, sustainable development, and regional co-operation were also discussed. Sri Lanka’s exports increased to $ 951.70 million in February from the $ 924.40 million in January 2021. Also, Sri Lankan exports mostly involve textiles and garments (52% of total exports) and tea (17%) which make up 69% of the export sector in the country. Other exports also include spices, gems, coconut products, rubber, and fish.  In addition, the main export partners are the US, UK, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and neighboring Asian countries.  


More News..