‘Sri Lanka: A Proud Heritage of Craftsmanship’ at Manila FAME 2019

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila, in cooperation with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, participated at the Manila FAME 2019 from 17-19 October at the World Trade Centre, Pasay City, Philippines. The delegation comprised 14 members who represented the handicraft, home decor, and lifestyle industry of Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka’s pavilion, under the theme ‘Sri Lanka: A Proud Heritage of Craftsmanship, showcased the creativity and ingenuity of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs through their high-quality, sustainable, and artisanal products.

Manila FAME 2019 was formally launched on 17 October with the opening ceremony graced by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, DTI officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from relevant international and local organisations.

The Sri Lanka pavilion was inaugurated with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp with the participation of Secretary Ramon Lopez, Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Shobini Gunasekera, CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan, and other distinguished guests.

The delegation’s participation to the trade event were able to reap tangible benefits such as securing export orders, collaboration and linkages with their local and international counterparts and the establishment of Sri Lanka’s presence in the crafts and design industry of the Philippines.

Apart from the participation at the Manila FAME 2019, the delegation attended a series of tailor-made events such as the networking reception, design tour, design workshop and crafts industry visits which all aimed to capacitate the entrepreneurs with new ideas and skills to innovate their products in keeping up with the standards of the global craft and design industry.