Brandix CEO Calls for Customs Pre-Clearance to Protect Export Edge 📉

• Key Call to Action: Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar urges implementation of Customs pre-clearance directly at manufacturing plants within 1-2 years to eliminate port delays and protect Sri Lanka’s fading tariff advantages. • Logistics & Efficiency Deficits: • Speed and supply chain efficiency are now vital competitive factors alongside cost and flexibility. • Fashion items are highly "perishable"; production gains (e.g., saving 5 days) are often lost due to goods sitting at ports or with freight forwarders for up to 10 days. • Technology Adoption: AI usage across the apparel & textiles industry currently remains below 0.5%, highlighting massive untapped potential for productivity gains and supply chain acceleration. • Policy & External Trade: • Tariff regimes in key markets (US, Europe) remain outside Sri Lanka's control, making domestic efficiency and infrastructure paramount. • Credit given to the Government for managing bilateral trade relationships reasonably well so far. • Goal is to transition Sri Lanka from a traditional transshipment hub into a high-speed supply-chain hub.