One of Sri Lanka’s most recognized apparel factories cements its environmental sustainability credentials Already recognized as a leading proponent of environmental sustainability, Bodyline (Pvt) Ltd; one of Sri Lanka’s best known apparel companies marked World Environment Day by announcing the international CarbonNeutral® certification for one of its factories. Business sector eager to employ fresh design talent AOD says ‘design’ is seen as a powerful value-addition for industry AOD-Northumbria Convocation 2014 sees 69 qualified design graduates passing out Customs Export Facilitation Centre- A giant step in trade facilitation Critical that an independent trade facilitation unit be set up by government Quote from OECD report “Steady increases in trade volumes and complexity in recent years have significantly changed the operating environment for the international trading community. They have also highlighted the negative impact of inefficient border procedures on governments, businesses and ultimately on the customer and the economy as a whole. Governments may face smuggling, fraud and national security problems, which drain the public coffers, while businesses pay the price of slow and unpredictable goods delivery, costly customs procedures, and even lost business opportunities. And all these costs ultimately make goods more expensive for the consumer. These ‘hidden’ costs of trade are so high – as much as 15% of the value of the goods traded in some cases – that studies show that for many countries, the welfare benefits from more efficient customs procedures could be as high as those from reducing tariffs.” Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association, 50/1,Rosmead Place, Colombo 7