The local Sri Lankan apparel sector has stressed the need to establish a stronger online presence to ensure it anchors strong in the post-COVID-19 era and hold a sizable portion of the global fashion industry.

With the core business of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector being the fashion industry, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) President Arumugampillai Sukumaran said it is essential for the industry to continue to focus on it and urgently put in place a payment platform to engage in e-commerce as a major change.

Noting that the global supply chain will only change its origin, due to trade wars but will be revitalised with a more Asian focus outside China, he said the local apparel industry is working hard at staying afloat without collapsing to “win the game”.

According to Sukumaran, the true impacts of COVID-19 have not fully presented and there still are few more months of difficulty for the industry to navigate through. He also pointed out that the global apparel industry would be smaller post COVID-19 than before and it is a reality the industry stakeholders need to understand.

However, he opined that with the changes in technology, increasing value addition to product, changing the way the industry works, Sri Lanka’s apparel sector will continue to be vibrant and relevant.