NCE to highlight Sri Lankan export brands at World Expo 2020 in Dubai

World Expo 2020, one of the largest international exhibitions in the world, will be held in Dubai from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, creating a platform to showcase the greatest innovations that have shaped the world we live in today. 

It is the first time that the World Expo will be held in the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa and South Africa), continuing the tradition with the latest technology from around the globe. The impact of this prodigious event is such that the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Space Needle in Seattle were built specifically, when each of those cities hosted the World Expo. 

The Sri Lankan Country Pavilion will partake at the Expo 2020 in Dubai under the sub-theme ‘Opportunity’, in the ‘Opportunity District’ of the Expo Village in a 300 square metre space, while the Pavilion will be branded as the ‘Island of Ingenuity’, highlighting the rich resource offerings of the island, and promoting the country as an export hub, driven by innovative products and services, to attract export catalyst foreign direct investments. Opportunity district focuses on witnessing how lives and actions are interconnected in the global sphere. This enables people to meet people worldwide who are transforming dreams and aspirations into the realities of tomorrow and be empowered to shape the future by unlocking the potential of our nations.

Joining hands with this extraordinary and important experience, the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, the exclusive Chamber representing Sri Lankan Exporters is spearheading a trade exhibition concurrently, under the banner ‘Sri Lanka Export Brands’ to showcase Sri Lankan export products and services, as well as services by service providers to exporters. This exhibition will be held from 17 to 20 February 2022. (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) forming the ideal platform for Sri Lanka to create awareness for products and services and explore the immense opportunities of the Middle Eastern region. 

In this regard, the NCE has already commenced a powerful promotional campaign in coordination with the Sri Lankan Missions in the Gulf Region. These Missions will create awareness of the event and will invite potential buyers to visit the ‘Sri Lanka Export Brands’ exhibition. The NCE is also coordinating with trade chambers and associations in the Gulf Region and invited those members to visit the event. Further, the Sri Lankan Dubai Business Council and other Sri Lankan professionals in the UAE will also undertake to create awareness among their business contacts and members of this exhibition. Through these efforts and strategic event dates coinciding with Gulf Food Expo 2020, we expect a higher number of regional visitors and UAE nationals to visit the exhibition. 

Due to the adverse effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Sri Lankan exporters are experiencing numerous challenges in sustaining export revenue and growth. However, remaining optimistic and upbeat, the World Expo provides a greater platform for Sri Lankan exporters to reach the right people, expand the business and develop the global network whilst exploring the immense opportunities of the MENASA region. The Chamber is confident that this initiative will open up fresh avenues for the country’s exports to reach greater heights by expanding the global market share. Staying true to its greater mission of supporting the country’s export sector, the Chamber is encouraging exporters to join this international event to reach new markets, meet new people and cultures. 

The Chamber is also inviting the hospitality sector to join this event to promote Sri Lankan Tourism to potential visitors to the country from the Middle Eastern region. The scheduled exhibition dates will also coincide with the Gulf Food exhibition attracting more affluent visitors. The Chamber will be creating a digital catalogue highlighting all exhibitors to be shared with all relevant stakeholders. Sri Lankan foreign missions, other trade chambers and associations in the Gulf region are also working closely with NCE in promoting the ‘Sri Lanka Export Brands’ exhibition to attract more affluent visitors from the region.

Sri Lankan companies interested in participating could send an email to [email protected] to receive updates plans on the event.