Sri Lankan products promoted in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

In order to expand Sri Lanka’s commercial relations with the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the fourth largest regional economy of Brazil whose GDP is estimated to be over $ 150 billion, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil organised a series of promotional activities in its capital-Porto Alegre from 8-9 August.

Governor of Rio Grande do Sul José Ivo Sartori, extended a warm welcome with military honors to Sri Lankan Ambassador General Jagath Jayasuriya, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.

During the bilateral meeting at his Palace ‘Piratini’, Governor Sartori appreciated the visit by the Sri Lankan Ambassador and his team to the State of Rio Grande do Sul to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the State, especially in the sphere of trade and commerce.

Expressing his views, Ambassador Jayasuriya said that Sri Lanka and Brazil maintain excellent diplomatic relations and it was time for both countries to explore ways and means to expand trade and commercial relations between the two countries. Ambassador Jayasuriya further mentioned that, being an emerging high end market with a GDP per capita of over $ 12,500 Rio Grande do Sul was a very important State for Sri Lanka, especially for its high quality apparel, rubber products, Gems and Jewellery and porcelain & ceramic ware.

Sharing his views at a luncheon business meeting at the Federation of Commerce and Services (Fecomércio) attended by over 40 businessmen, General Jayasuriya mentioned that Sri Lanka is in the process of organising a high profile trade delegation to Brazil in order to expand its apparel and rubber products exportation to Brazil and also to explore the possibility of introducing world renowned Ceylon Tea. He further said that there are many new Sri Lankan companies which are looking for entering into Brazilian apparel market which is considered to be one of the fastest growing apparel markets in the world with over $ 42 billion annual sales. “Though Brazil is not a tea drinking country, there is an encouraging demand for tea from health conscious Brazilian consumers, especially from the young generation” Ambassador Jayasuriya said.

Commending the initiative by Sri Lanka to organise a business delegation to Brazil, Commercial Manager of Fecomércio Pedro de Marchi Calazans said that it would be a pleasure for them to assist Sri Lanka to enter into the huge market of Rio Grande do Sul which has a population of over 11 million.

The main product promotional program which was held at Hotel Plaza São Rafael was attended by over 20 identified leading businessmen based in Rio Grande do Sul. The Sri Lankans product display at the meeting venue was attracted by all participants since they could gain firsthand information on the quality of Sri Lankan export products.

During the promotional program, Ambassador Jayasuriya and Commercial Secretary Premathilake Jayakody attended a special promotional program organised by the Union of the Jewellery Industry and Mining (SINDIPEDRAS) in the city of Soledade, the Gem City of Rio Grande do Sul.

Speaking to the business gathering Ambassador Jayasuriya mentioned that the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority will soon lead a business delegation comprising leading Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery companies to Brazil in order to explore the possibility of exchanging each other’s exclusive products. President of the SINDIPEDRAS Gilberto Bortoluzzi said that they are ready to facilitate the visiting delegation. The meeting was attended by leading gem and Jewellery dealers and the Mayor of Soledade, Paulo Cataneo.