| Tea promotion through Overseas missions
COLOMBO: The Plantation Industries Ministry will launch a programme to promote Sri Lankan tea in foreign countries through our overseas missions, said Plantation Industries Minister DM Jayaratne. The Minister was speaking at a meeting held to formulate strategies for the promotion of Lankan tea in foreign countries at the Ministry. The Government expects to augment the tea export earnings from Rs. 91.5 billion to Rs. 125 billion within three years. The officials in Lankan missions overseas will receive comprehensive training in promoting and explorating new market avenues for our tea, the Minister said. Under this programme, an embassy official should send an extensive report on the demand for Sri Lankan tea and new strategies that could be employed for the promotion of tea in particular country every three months to the foreign minister and the plantation minister.
Glut caused downfall of tea plantation sector: UPASI
Coonoor, Sep 17 : United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) President J K Thomas today said over production was the main reason for the downfall of tea plantation sector. Delivering the presidential address during the 114th UPASI annual conference here, Mr Thomas said the Centre should help the plantation sector to compete in the global market. The Commerce Ministry should extend the incentive package, announced for the plantation sector, for longer period to help India regain the lost position as world's number one tea exporter. Mr Thomas said the Plantation Labour Act, the Land Reforms Act and the Minimum Wage Act needed a drastic overhaul as these laws were conceived during a completely different economic, political and social milieu. He said tea exports had taken a beating on account of Rupee appreciation.
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