COLOMBO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the necessity of implementing a well-structured strategy aimed at attaining an annual export revenue of at least 2 billion U.S. dollars from the gem and jewelry industry, the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Sunday.
The PMD said the president urged officials to swiftly provide comprehensive plans to achieve the South Asian country's objective of bolstering annual export earnings through enhancements in gem and jewellery exports and re-exports during a recent discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to address issues in the gem and jewellery industry.
"Within this discourse, the president highlighted the importance of promptly addressing challenges in the gem and jewellery sector to boost the country's revenue from exports," the PMD said in a statement.
According to the PMD, the president assured that the government is fully prepared to provide necessary support and facilities if a formalized plan to elevate the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka is promptly presented.
As per the Central Bank Annual Report 2022, Sri Lanka earned 450 million U.S. dollars as export income from gems, diamonds and jewelry in 2022. ■
