Mawbima Lanka, a non-profit organisation, has come in to recognize brands that are truly Sri Lankan by awarding selected brands the right to use Ganna Ape De logo.
Mawbima Lanka which is committed to creating awareness among Sri Lankan people for the usage of locally manufactured products and services came up with this concept for a marketplace where consumers typically seek out and use Sri Lankan products.
“Without drinking the milk of our very own cows we drink milk that has been produced in other countries”, Master Divers Organisation Chairman and Pelawatte Sugar Corporation Managing Director Ariyaseela Wickremanayake said at a press conference held recently.
“We hadn’t found a way of showing our nation’s products to the people of this country before”, DSI Group of Companies Managing Director Kulatunga Rajapaksa added. Japan is proudly saying “Made in Japan” and we have so many things we could accept as our own for example the gems, but there was no way of showing them any recognition.
As their long term objective the use of locally produced goods and services, a large scale of advertising campaign will be undertaken island wide to create awareness of the Ganna Ape De logo and what it reflects.
This campaign is said to be launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrial Development and the Strategic Management Agency (SEMA). Once a person has obtained the logo they can print it on their products and other business communications while making their products more visible and recognisable to consumers as being a truly Sri Lankan brand which will increase the demand for local products and services. Through this they will also be qualifying for other benefits such as the Annual Ape De Awards, guidance for Industrial Marking Specialists, competitive marketing information, the support of experienced negotiators to resolve labour issues and lobbying in the interest of local industries.
For the selection process they have established a set of accreditation standards for the products and services to satisfy to qualify for the Ganna Ape De logo. Then the brands of people will need to meet certain standards and will be then sent to pass inspection by an expert committee which comprises a productivity expert from the Ministry of Industrial Development before been granted for the right to use the logo.
