SLBC, NCE Exhibition in Dubai boost Sri Lanka exports

 Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena (right) with Sri Lanka Ambassador to UAE Malraj de Silva, SLBC Vice Chairman Farook Kassim, Chairman Suren Swaminathan and Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Dubai General to 

Nalinda Wijerathna

The Sri Lanka business Council (SLBC) for Dubai and Northern Emirates has with a view of encouraging business within UAE and the region has joined hands in promoting the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka, is spearheading a trade exhibition concurrently with Dubai Expo 2020, 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 kicked off yesterday and will go on till 20 February (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. The Expo mainly focuses on attracting potential buyers from the UAE as well as from other neighbouring countries mainly from the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Along with the support of the Sri Lankan missions, the SLBC and NCE is coordinating with Trade Chambers to attract and invite potential buyers to visit the ‘Sri Lanka Export Brands’ exhibition. Through these efforts and strategic event dates coinciding with Gulf Food Expo 2020, the Sri Lanka Brand Exhibition can expect a higher number of regional visitors and UAE nationals to visit the exhibition.

50 multi-sectoral Sri Lankan Export ventures partaking as exhibitors at the Sri Lanka Export Brand Exhibition, ranging from Food and Beverages, Spice and Spice Based Products, Herbal and Ayurvedic Products, Packaging, Gems and Jewellery, Water Purification, Rubber and Rubber Based Products, Tyres, Floriculture and Horticulture and Confectionery to name a few. 

The SLBC and NCE invites everyone to visit the ‘Sri Lanka Export Brands’ pavilion any day from 17 to 20 February at Dubai Exhibition Centre, South Hall 1B to meet Sri Lankan exporters and to explore the best ethically manufactured products from Sri Lanka. The visitors who are already here to visit the Gulf Food Exhibition, this is the ideal opportunity to visit the Sri Lankan Brand Exhibition as well to explore new products, services, meet new people and cultures. 

UAE and Dubai have shown the world resilience, visionary leadership during this pandemic. The business rebound was faster than other countries. With its relaxed rules and ease of doing business the SLBC encouraged the National Chamber Exporters to visit and showcase their products and services. They could also explore other opportunities of expanding their business by opening offices here.

National Chamber of Exporters CEO and Secretary General Shiham Marikkar has been working tirelessly in promoting this event with all stakeholders. 

Attending this event along with Marikkar from Sri Lanka are Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Export Development Board Chairman Suresh De Mel, NCE President Ravi Jayawardena, NCE Senior VP Jayantha Karunarathne, NCE Patron Sarada De Silva.  

They will be joined by Ambassador to UAE Malraj De Silva, Consul General Nalinda Wijerathne, Sri Lanka Business Council for Dubai and Northern Emirates Chairman Suren Swaminathan, SLBC Founder, Life Member and past Chairman Farook Kassim, along with other diplomatic staff and SLBC Board of Directors.

The Sri Lankan Business Council will be hosting the visiting dignitaries and exhibitors along with its members for a networking dinner at the five-star Pullmans Hotel in Dubai.