Global apparel-tech conglomerate MAS Holdings has earned multiple prestigious awards, including the coveted Exporter of the Year, at the recent Presidential Export Awards for 2023/24.
This notable event was held under the esteemed patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on February 7, 2025, at the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) in Colombo. MAS Holdings made headlines by receiving both overall and sectoral awards, underscoring its substantial contributions to Sri Lanka's export economy.
The top honors included Exporter of the Year, Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year, Best Exporter in Product Diversification, Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports, Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain, and Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets. Notably, MAS also clinched the Sectoral Award for Best Exporter in the Apparel – Large Category.
“Our achievement today is powered by the dedication and hard work of our 70,000 team members in Sri Lanka, whose passion and resilience carry our organization forward,” said Suren Fernando, CEO of MAS Holdings. He added, “From the production floor to our design hubs, their unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence embodies the very best of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing capabilities. We are honored to contribute to our nation’s economy and uphold its reputation as a premier hub for ethical, world-class manufacturing.”
The Presidential Export Awards, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB), represent Sri Lanka’s highest level of recognition for export excellence, aiming to celebrate and showcase exporters who have significantly advanced the country's export sector and economic growth. MAS Holdings has previously received the Exporter of the Year Award for the financial years 2022/23 and 2021/22, reinforcing their consistent track record.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is also recognizing businesses making strides in the export sector. The MDARD is now accepting applications for the 2025 Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year award. This annual accolade celebrates outstanding success within the state's food, agriculture, and forest product sectors.
Eligibility for this prestigious award is open to Michigan businesses whose products are over 50 percent grown, processed, or manufactured within the state. Tim Boring, MDARD Director, emphasized the importance of recognizing local producers, stating, “Michigan-made food, agriculture, and forest products are making a global impact and represent one of the diverse ways our industry feeds the state's economic prosperity.”
Applications for the Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year award are due by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2025. The program has honored exceptional accomplishments since its inception in 2006, with information on previous winners available on the MDARD website, including details about the 2024 awardee, Banks Hardwoods.
These awards not only highlight the importance of exporting but also demonstrate how local industries can make significant contributions to the economy through international markets. Each award recipient becomes part of the narrative of their country's standing on the global trade stage, showcasing the potential and quality of their respective industries.
Both MAS Holdings and the eligible applicants for the Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year are reminders of the global marketplace's vast opportunities. Through recognition and celebration, these awards inspire businesses to strengthen their export capabilities, innovate, and engage more deeply with international partners.