Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is poised to gain from the United States’ decision to impose fresh tariffs on countries like China, Mexico, and Canada, as global brands re-evaluate their supply chains.

Suren Fernando, CEO of MAS Holdings, stated that US buyers are actively seeking alternative sourcing destinations, leading to increased enquiries for Sri Lankan manufacturers. He highlighted that as tariffs make products from other nations more expensive, brands are likely to shift orders to countries like Sri Lanka.

While Sri Lanka may not match the large-scale production of Vietnam or Bangladesh, Fernando emphasised the importance of enhancing the country’s value premium to remain competitive. MAS Holdings, which has design and logistics facilities in the US, is focused on resilience and financial strength rather than aggressive topline growth.

Fernando also noted that Sri Lanka’s apparel sector aims to generate between US $5-8 billion in revenue