HSBC partners Expo 2012 Trade Fair

HSBC has partnered the Export Development Board (EDB) to be the Principal Sponsor – Banking Sector of the Sri Lanka Expo 2012, which began yesterday at the BMICH. It is on until Saturday from 10.a.m. to 8.p.m.

The premier international trade fair aptly themed ‘Partnering with the Hub of Asia’ is expected to attract over 1,000 foreign delegates to the country. These would be both existing and potential business partners consisting of importers, exporters, prospective investors, and out-bound tour operators to ministerial delegations from ten different countries.

The main objective of the Sri Lanka Expo 2012 is to promote Sri Lanka’s trade, investment and tourism; to re-position Sri Lanka as a lucrative business, investment and tourism destination in Asia and instil buyer confidence in the country’s quality products and services and production capabilities. Sri Lanka Expo 2012 will also provide a unique combination of exhibitions, symposiums, keynote addresses and corporate events where a number of industry experts and international keynote speakers are expected to participate.

The exhibition will feature stalls from 350 exporters and 60 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

 It will not only focus on the seven key product segments identified by EDB for growth – apparel, tea, rubber, ICT/BPO/KPO services, food and beverages, spices and allied products and gem and jewellery, but will span across a wide segment of other export products such as footwear and leather, ornamental fish, fruits and vegetables, boat building, porcelain table wear, coir products, plastic products, floriculture, activated carbon and toys and gifts. There will also be an investment and tourism pavilion.

HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Nick Nicolaou said: “As the leading international bank in the country, who is a major financier to the export and tourism sectors, we are happy to be associated with Sri Lanka Expo 2012, which will give our local and foreign customers an indication of the potential the local market possesses for quality export products.”

“The Expo will combine some of the leading names in the export business that have contributed to the country’s export earnings and strategically helped position Sri Lanka as a growing economic centre. I believe this event would pave the way for building better trade links with countries that are keen to invest in Sri Lanka and will no doubt help in the growth of trade, investment and tourism.

 We hope all visitors to the Expo will gain a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s potential and see great value in this national event,” he added.    

Further, there will be facilities for networking sessions, one to one business meetings and even factory visits for delegates from across the globe.  

Notably, over 50 international journalists from leading travel magazines and TV channels from around the world including the UK, China, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Singapore and  Philippines have also been invited to witness the Expo.