Financial support from Tea Board for export firms at global trade fairs

By Charumini de Silva

Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) has stepped up its support for Ceylon Tea exporting firms initiating a funding scheme to encourage participation at international trade fairs in the first quarter of 2021. SLTB has extended its financial assistance for exporting companies having the ‘Lion Logo’ certification with a proven track record, will be eligible to apply under new funding facility, ‘50% Trade Fair Subsidy Scheme’.

The expenses under ‘50% Trade Fair Subsidy Scheme’ include the cost of exhibition space, construction cost and cost for basic furniture. The rest of the expenses have to be borne by the selected participants.

The scheme will facilities Ceylon Tea exporting companies based on their category/scale.  All exporters (large, medium and small scale) are entitled to 50% of total cost for space and booth construction, while small scale tea exporters will be provided information desk and other basic facilities at free cost within the SLTB booth.

International trade fairs in the first quarter of 2021 include Prodexpo, Moscow from 8-12 February, Gulfood, Dubai from 21-25 February and Foodex, Tokyo from 9-21 March. The final decision with regard to the selection of exporting companies will exclusively be handled by the panel of members that will be appointed by SLTB.