Prabhash Subasinghe, chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) and managing director of Global Rubber Industries (Pvt) Ltd. (GRI), recently spoke at the International Rubber Study Group Industry Panel in Singapore.

SLAMERP is an association created in 1985, to represent the manufacturers and exporters of rubber products in Sri Lanka. With the mission of being the face of the industry to the government, SLAMERP advocates on policy matters and in providing unwavering representation of the rubber industry at local and international forums. 

Sharing an overview of the specialty tire market, Subasinghe addressed the segment by categories and regions, and brought focus to an evaluation on the key players of the industry and their regional presence. 

In addition, Subasinghe shared his knowledge on the latest market trends and developments. The global market of specialty tires, valued at $20 billion (US), includes industries that have significant stakeholder influence in the global economic climate, such as agricultural, mining, forestry, industrial and off-road tires and aviation industries. “Therefore, the demand for high-performance, reliable and technologically advanced specialty tires are increasing in today’s fast-paced circular economy,” Subasinghe stated. “This offers a new frontier of possibility for us to take definitive action to augment our vision and increase the economic prosperity of the industry by becoming a global force in the years to come,” he went on to say.

Upholding key leadership positions in several industry related organizations, Subasinghe is the chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers & Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP), director of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka, co-chair of the National Agenda Committee on Export Development, member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and member of SRI (Sri Lanka Society of Rubber Industry).