Expo 2012 to see over 1,000 global participants

With just 12 days to go, Sri Lanka’s largest mega trade, investment and tourism promotion initiative ‘Expo 2012’ has attracted close to 1,200 people, exceeding the expected 1,000 mark, EDB Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said yesterday.

Speaking to the Daily FT, he asserted that the number of participants had increased by 500 from last week, when only 700 had registered. With over 400 delegates from China, 200 from India, 375 from USA, over 60 from UK, over 75 each from Malaysia and Korea registering along with delegates from Italy, France, Australia, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Japan, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Pakistan and Belgium, the application list is growing on a daily basis, Ratnayake said.





Political delegations from Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Germany will also attend the event.

“There are more visitors than we expected,” he commented, “and these are not just visitors but serious trade buyers and investors. After careful marketing campaigns held around the world we have been able to attract the right crowd to Sri Lanka.”

He noted that thanks to the massive delegation, all rooms in Colombo had been booked for the duration of Expo 2012.

Ratnayake mentioned that all delegates had been chosen after a careful and rigorous screening process, which includes scrutiny of their work, employment, annual turnover, previous business with Sri Lanka and a trade profile analysis of every person.

Moreover, over 60 journalists from all over the world have confirmed their participation. The journalists are being hosted by EDB and Economic Development Ministry. With promoting tourism being one aspect of the Expo, over 50 tour operators will come to Sri Lanka during the period.

“The response has been more than just good. Day by day the numbers of participants are increasing. Demands for stalls have also been made, but unfortunately we cannot house as many as we like.”

The exhibition, being held from 28-31 March at the BMICH, will see the participation of 372 local exporters, of which 70 will be from the SME sector.

Ratnayake said: “This is not just any exhibition but an exclusive one. The general population of Sri Lanka will be able to know and understand the products that the country exports. It will be a unique experience for all.”

The exhibition will be open on 30 and 31 March for the public, while the first two days of the show will be for the foreign delegates and invitees. A symposium, business to business meetings, networking sessions, industrial visits, a fashion show and a number of corporate events will be held alongside the exhibition.

The Trade and Investment Symposium, which will be held on 29 March, will be presented by a number of industry experts and international keynote speakers covering salient topics, including advantages and the facilitation process behind Sri Lanka’s conducive trade and investment climate. Expected participation for the symposium is 600 persons, Ratnayake said, while 300 will be from the local business arena. This will be held at the Colombo Hilton.

Coinciding with Expo 2012, which is being held under the theme ‘Partnering with the Hub of Asia,’ the Commonwealth Secretariat London will hold the Asia Export Group Meeting on International Investment Negotiation on 27 and 28 March at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy has organised a presentation on the US GSP programme and FDA Food Modernisation Act and the 10th meeting of the Joint Council under the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), to be held on 27 March.

Three MOUs will also be signed during the event between the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and Malaka Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, EDB and Korea Import Association and Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency and K.I. Pengurusan Holiday SDN BHD in Malaysia.