Saturday Apr 20, 2024
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 01:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A delegation led by Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara comprising officials from both the public and private sector visited United Arab Emirates and met several important trade partners in the region. The delegation had very fruitful discussions with the Dubai Chamber of Commerceand Industry, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as Al-Maya Group and the Lulu Supermarket International.
Sri Lankan delegation included Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairperson and Chief Executive Indira Malwatte and Sri Lanka Consul General in Dubai Charitha Yattogoda. The delegation also comprised other Government Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Export Development Board, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and key private sector partners represent by Secretary General of National Chamber of Exporters and Secretary General of National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the immediate past president of Sri Lanka Exporter’s Association.
At the Business Forum organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, both sides presented available trade, tourism and investment opportunities. Board of Investment Executive Director Prasanjith Wijethilake made a presentation on the opportunities in Sri Lanka for trade, tourism and investment. Ideas were exchanged to create more partnerships on these spheres.
During the one on one consultations with the Chamber Management, the Deputy Minister invited the Sharjah Chamber to visit Sri Lanka to explore trade and investment opportunities of mutual benefit, which was accepted by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce Chairman Abdalla Sultan Al Owais.
The Sri Lanka delegation also had cordial and fruitful meetings with Dubai Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Hamad Buamim and other senior members of the same, where both sides agreed to look into more avenues to increase existing economic relationship between the two countries. Speaking at the occasion, Bandara briefed the Dubai Chamber Officials on the arrangements made by Sri Lanka to attend the Expo 2020 Dubai and the delegation highlighted the opportunities available in the sectors such as logistics and tourism, including Wellness Tourism, Boat Building, ICT and Knowledge services focused under the National Export Strategy.
Buamim commented on the importance of focusing on traditional sectors such as the famous Ceylon tea and ethically manufactured apparel and extended their support for Sri Lanka during the Expo 2020 to organise an Investor Forum.
The delegation also visited the Lulu Group International Regional Office in Dubai to enhance Sri Lanka’s exports. The team from Lulu was headed by Lulu corporate Headquarters Retail Operations Director Shabu Abdul Majeed. The delegate was appraised on their current operations in Sri Lanka where fresh produce was sourced and the FMCG from Sri Lanka identified for their supermarkets. Their target is to increase imports from Sri Lanka which amounted to $6 million in 2018 to $10 million, in 2019 with the support of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs.
EDB Chairperson and Chief Executive proposed that Lulu look into the backward integration for selected fresh produce under the ‘One Product – One Village Program’ and briefed on the new product categories that could be introduced to their distribution channel.
The Lulu Group has organised an impressive in-store promotion to promote Sri Lankan products “Proudly from Sri Lanka” and extended support to promote Sri Lanka during the Expo 2020 Dubai.
