FTZMA congratulates new Labour Minister

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) Executive Committee and members have extended good wishes to the new Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva.

Following is a statement issued by FTZMA Chairman Jatinder Biala and Secretary Dhammika Fernando.

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association was founded in 1981 approximately three years after the first and so far the largest free trade zone established in Katunayake.

We are the sole trade chamber that represents more than 280 enterprises (FDIS) in all 13 BOI zones in the country. We address the common issues relating to the various aspects of business faced by the member enterprises by liaising with the BOI and other state agencies.

We further take due care of the well-being of our employees whilst sustaining the investors and ensure smooth operations of the enterprises in collaboration with the BOI. We have contributed immensely to promote foreign direct investments (FDI), provided employment and brought in the much-needed foreign earnings, which had contributed to the country’s GDP.

The Free Trade Manufacturers’ Association through its member enterprises, therefore, plays a pivotal role in the national economy and is shaping it up while providing direct and in-direct employment plus means of living for hundreds of thousands people in the vicinity.

We, therefore, are eagerly looking forward to your utmost support to strengthen well-disciplined and effective work practices at all government institutions, including the Labour Ministry, with progressive fiscal policies for the well-being of the employees working in our member enterprises in the free trade zones, islandwide.

The FTZMA is also an Employer Member of the National Labour Advisory Council since its inception.

We are confident that under your leadership, your ministry could contribute to the socioeconomic progress of Sri Lanka through the establishment of a decent work environment within secured industrial peace, while protecting labour rights in making Sri Lanka as a country with everlasting industrial peace for an internationally competitive economy.

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ congratulate new PM; look for…

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) has extended its best wishes to the newly-elected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Following is the congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister sent by FTZMA Chairman Jatinder Biala.

The Executive Committee together with members of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association wish to congratulate you on the remarkable victory you have achieved as a results of the confidence majority of the people placed on you during the recently concluded Parliamentary Election.

Your historic victory clearly reflects the dire need of people in the country for you to serve the nation again and we believe that you would do your utmost to fulfil the aspiration of people during your tenure. The Free Trade Manufacturers’ Association was founded in 1981 approximately 3 years after the first ever largest Free Trade Zone.

We being the sole trade chamber that represent in excess of 280 enterprises in all the 13 BOI zones in the country address the common issues in liaising with BOI and other state agencies. We further duly take care of wellbeing of our employees whilst sustaining the investors and ensure smooth operations of the enterprises in collaboration with the BOI, have contributed immensely to promote foreign direct investments (FDI), provided employment and brought in much needed foreign earnings which had contributed to the country’s GDP.

The Free Trade Manufacturers’ Association, therefore, plays a pivotal role in the national economy and is shaping it up while providing direct and in-direct employment plus means of living for hundreds of thousands people in the vicinity.

We therefore very much look forward to your utmost support to strengthen a well disciplined and effective work practices at all Government institutions including BOI with progressive fiscal policies to attract more and more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in to the country. We are confident that under the newly elected political leadership, Sri Lanka will achieve a gradual and systematic progress and economic development within the next few years.

May the noble Triple Gem bless you and our Mother Lanka.

FTZ manufacturers congratulate President Rajapaksa

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association has extended its best wishes to newly-elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “We, the members of the association, believe that you will do your utmost to fulfill the aspirations of the people, towards which we extend our fullest corporation”, FTZMA Chairman Jatinder Biala said in his letter to the President.

Following are excerpts of the letter.

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association is the pioneer organisation which has existed for 40 years since the inception of the then-GCEC in the Katunayake zone. We, in collaboration with the BOI, have contributed immensely to promote foreign investments, provide employment and bring in much-needed foreign earnings to the country which have contributed to the GDP.

Collectively, we have more than 77 export manufacturers and service providers in the Katunayake zone. Furthermore, there are more than 200 export manufacturers situated outside the zone serviced by the KEPZ, some of whom are also members of our association. The Katunayake zone is by far the biggest in extent (521 acres), number of factories (over 77) and employment numbers (over 37,000 workers) among the BOI industrial parks. As a collective, a total foreign investment of Rs. 96,596 million with a cumulative annual export value of Rs. 211 billion, where the BOI earns in the form of service and taxes from investors Rs. 825 million annually.

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association therefore plays a vital role in the national economy and shaping it up while providing direct and indirect employment plus a means of living for hundreds of thousands of people.

We represent the manufacturers in addressing the common issues by liaising with the BOI and other state agencies. We further take care of the wellbeing of our employees while sustaining the investors and ensuring the smooth operation of enterprises in cordial relations with the BOI.

We look forward to your strength in this respect and assure that we together can march forward towards success in achieving our goals in making our country prosperous, peaceful and enjoyable.

AGM 2020

40th Annual General Meeting of FTZMA is re-scheduled on 16th September 2020 at Vivanta Colombo Air Port Garden, Seeduwa

FTZMA Members’ Eve Cocktail

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) Chairman Jatinder Biala together with the Executive Committee hosted a Members’ Eve Cocktail and dinner at (‘Boat’) 8-degrees Cinnamon Lake recently. Ministers, dignitaries, members and other invitees attended the event.

FTZMA hosts top officials, diplomats in glamorous Members’ Eve

A glamorous Members’ Eve at 8 Degrees on the Lake at Cinnamon Lakeside on 24 October saw the CEOs of Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) member companies hosting top BOI officials and foreign diplomats, in celebration of their success story.

The gathering was organised by the FTZMA Executive Committee, in appreciation of the service and dedication of the members towards the improvement of the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), and to show solidarity of all BOI investors housed in all the zones island-wide, which has played a major role in developing the economy of Sri Lanka over four decades.

FTZMA is the core association and main trade chamber of foreign direct investors that pioneered activities in the main Industrial Zone in Katunayake.

The Association concentrates not only on production and exports of member companies’ finished goods, but also contributes to the uplifting of overall activities, including infrastructure, by closely working with all stakeholders including BOI as the main service provider, towards the success of the zone, to develop it to its present status.

Commenting on the occasion, FTZMA Chairman Jatinder Biala said: “It gives us pleasure as a whole to appreciate the service and commitments extended by all stakeholders towards the achievements reached, and to strengthen our ties in this fellowship which is held almost every year.”

“This gathering is also to highlight to the public at large that irrespective of who governs the country, we carry on this uninterrupted service that benefits our country immensely, which needs encouragement by the governing authorities to facilitate the promotion of foreign direct investment. In the midst of many hurdles and with many risks involved, the appreciative investors continue in their commitment towards strengthening our economy, solving the unemployment problems to a great extent by imparting knowledge in the latest technology and improving labour skills of our country,” Biala said.

“May this gathering be an eye-opener to those in office in the promotion of Trade and Development of our country for the inflow of greater revenue,” the FTZMA chairman added.

KEPZ, which was established forty years ago, is the first and by far the biggest in extent, employees and number of enterprises among all BOI industrial zones in the country. The zone houses more than 74 manufacturing enterprises inside the zone, for normal exports plus hub operations. Apart from that, there are more than 90 enterprises outside the zone which are serviced by the KEPZ.

The KEPZ is a very important economic hub for the economy of the country, as it brings in a sizable portion of direct foreign income, as well as foreign investments contributing to the growth of the nation’s GDP.

There have been several other zones set up in the country using Katunayake as a model, and this certainly is a credit to the KEPZ of which the Association is proud. The members of FTZMA negotiate with all stakeholders and hold frequent meetings with various statutory bodies, doing their part for the continuous improvement of services by looking into shortcomings, and it strives hard to comfort employees and ensure enhanced quality services are rendered by various institutions.

Gate pass office moved

In Katunayake there is only one Gate Pass office now onwards. There is no pass office at the main entrance and all visitors are required to obtain a centralized gate pass office at Gate #2 (Avariwatta entrance).

Further online systems in place to make your life easier. Please contact esteem organization for your passes.

GPV Lanka wins Gold Award at Taiki Akimoto 5S…

GPV Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd won the TAIKI AKIMOTO 5S Gold Award 2019 under the large category presented by Japanese Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA). 

What was in particular special about this achievement was that, GPV Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. won the Gold Award in the first attempt while competing against several other large-scale well reputable organisations in Sri Lanka.

GPV Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. is a subsidiary of GPV International A/S Denmark.

GPV was founded in Denmark in 1961 and is today one of Europe’s leading electronics manufacturers. GPV is a global EMS-partner providing complex electronics, cable-harness, mechatronics and box-build solutions including design and engineering activities to customers worldwide within high mix / low-medium volume. GPV generates a revenue at about USD 460 million with around 3,700 employees and has production sites across Europe, Asia and the Americas.  GPV Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is in the industry in Sri Lanka for more than 30 years and today it has 1,022 employees including 45 electronic engineers with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

The company was recognized at the Sri Lanka Presidential Export Award consecutively for four years in 2015/16/17/18, under the electronic & electrical sector for highest foreign exchange earner.

The JASTECA upholds the benchmark of excellence for companies practicing Japanese productivity concepts such as the globally accepted 5S system for organising, promoting efficiency, effectiveness and safety.

The award ceremony was held for the 24th consecutive year at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Galadari on 22nd of August 2020 with a large gathering from representatives of all the award winners, JASTECA Members and the Chief Guest Mr.Toshihiro Kitamura, Minister Embassy of Japan Sri Lanka.

Intex South Asia

The largest international textiles sourcing show of South Asia Showcasing more than 250 textile suppliers from 15+ countries and regions Country Pavilions (Taiwan, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh and others) Leading Buyers from more than 20 countries attends for their sourcing requirements Buyer Delegations from South Asia, Middle-east and other international markets Fashion Fiesta: Networking Cocktail Reception and Fashion Show – unveiling contemporary textile designs and innovations in form of garments Interactive Business Forums and Trends Workshops Platinum Lounge for Buyers’ Meetings Complimentary Colombo City Tour (for overseas exhibitors an