Expo 2012 promotional meeting in the Dubai Chamber

Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, Abdul Raheem met with Director General Hamad Buamain and Dubai Chamber of Commerce Director, External Relations Hassan Al Hashemi at their Head Quarters to discuss mutual trade interests between UAE and Sri Lanka and also brief them about forthcoming mega trade event ‘Expo 2012’ to be held in Colombo from 28 to 30 March 2012. Raheem requested the assistance and the cooperation from the Director General in arranging a delegation to visit ‘Expo 2012’ from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Buamain responded that Dubai Chamber will give due publicity among the members on ‘Expo 2012’ and explore possibilities of sending a delegation from the UAE.  Raheem also took the opportunity to request the Director General to consider Sri Lanka for next year’s ‘Country Focus’ event to be organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.  Every year, Dubai Chamber organises three to four different ‘Country Focusing’ events to give publicity and awareness on trade and investment opportunities in those destinations for the benefit of members of the Dubai Chamber and industries based in Dubai.

Raheem explained that Sri Lanka as an emerging new market in South Asia, would provide more opportunities for investors from UAE in the field of tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, IT and IT related services, agriculture etc. and UAE businessmen should take advantage of Sri Lanka’s FTAs with India and Pakistan as well as the political stability in the country.

Hamad was of the view that the successful recent visit to Sri Lanka by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Quasimi was more productive and the direct interaction between the private sector parties in UAE and Sri Lanka would enhance the bilateral trade and investment climate. Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai Chairman Farook Kassim and officials of the Consulate and Dubai Chamber of Commerce also took part in the discussion.