Program for giftware and lifestyle product SME craft manufacturers in Philippines

• 2000 New Exporter Development Program

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is implementing a program to develop 2000 entrepreneurs to become exporters by 2020 at regional level with the objective of encouraging domestic enterprises to invest in export industries to achieve the overall export target $28 billion in 2022. 

The EDB in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila, Philippines, organised a trade promotion program from 16 to 22 October that comprised a training/ exposure visit, B2B meetings and product display at Manila FAME 2019 exhibition for a group of 10 export potential SME manufacturers selected under the EDB’s 2000 New Exporters Development Program’s ‘Giftware and Lifestyle’ sector.

Manila FAME 2019

Under the Economic Diplomacy program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Manila, the EDB organised Sri Lanka’s participation at Manila FAME 2019. Manila FAME is a design and lifestyle event that is Asia’s premier trade platform for export and design, providing opportunities for small and medium scale entrepreneurs to showcase their products in the world market.  

The Sri Lankan pavilion at the event was inaugurated on 17 October by the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary, Philippines Centre for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director and other distinguished officers, with the ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp in the presence of the Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Manila Shobini Gunasekera, Minister/Head of Chancery Thanuja Dissanayake and other officials of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila. Representatives of the National Design Centre, participant Sri Lankan companies and EDB officials were also present.

Design Tour

During the visit, the SME entrepreneurs had the opportunity to join the Design Tour                             organised by Manila FAME. The tour was organised in order to offer a unique, immersive experience where participants could engage with the Filipino design and creative scene. They interacted with Filipino products, crafts and talent in a way that was not offered by exhibits and evoked an interest in partnerships and collaborations between Filipino designers and makers. The delegation also visited some of the Design Centre’s valued partner hubs from different industries based in Marikina and Quezon City, as the Centre showed how its services centre on working closely with and offering support to its partners.

Networking session and B2B meetings

At the networking session, the Sri Lankan delegation had the opportunity to make successful trade contacts with buyer delegations from USA, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia etc. Most of the SMEs were able to establish links with several buyers for their products. Further, B2B meetings were held with Filipino exhibitors and super market chains, namely Kultura Filipino, Balikbayan Handicrafts, Tesoros etc. to learn their background and how to market their products to foreign markets and retail stores. The Sri Lankan participants were also able to explore the current market, price ranges, giftware and lifestyle products available in the market, consumer choices etc.  

Training at the Design Centre of the Philippines

The one-day training at the Design Centre of the Philippines focused on the development, promotion and enhancement of design for giftware and lifestyle products, including intellectual property briefing. 

A reception was hosted by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Philippines for the Sri Lankan delegation providing opportunities for further networking. The delegation of SMEs participating at the event appreciated the services provided by the EDB and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Philippines in organising and facilitating the successful completion of the visit. Some SMEs had already executed sample orders for wine bottle racks, ceramic oil burners, coasters and placemats, wooden elephants, coconut bowls, natural dried flowers and flower decorations etc. to the USA, Istanbul, Philippines, and Sweden.