Sri Lanka shines at 2nd China-South Asia Expo in Kunming

Daily FT - 24/06/2014

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing organised the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the 2nd China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, China from 6 to 10 June with the participation of 135 Sri Lankan companies, displaying and promoting Sri Lankan product sectors such as gems and jewellery, tea, batik, handicraft, coir products, Ayurvedic products and giftware.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen ceremonially opened the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the expo and delivered the keynote address at the 9th China-South Asia Business Forum held on the sidelines of the 2nd China-South Asia Expo.

In his speech, the Minister highlighted the enormous potential for further promotion of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and China, before a large gathering of business entrepreneurs representing South Asia and the South East Asia region.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody, representing the Government of Sri Lanka, participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd China-South Asia Expo. At a meeting with the Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, on the sidelines of the Kunming Expo, the Deputy Speaker sought the continued support and cooperation of China for further expansion of trade and commerce between the two countries.
Vice Premier Wang Yang, while commending Sri Lanka’s active participation at the expo, expressed the hope that the proposed FTA between the two countries would contribute greatly towards the expansion of bilateral trade between China and Sri Lanka.

Also on the sidelines of the 2nd China-South Asia Expo, the 6th Session of the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation between China and Sri Lanka was held in Kunming on 7 June. Ministry of Finance and Planning Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera led the Sri Lanka delegation and Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan led the Chinese delegation. A wide range of issues relating to Sri Lanka-China trade and economic cooperation was discussed by the two sides at the meeting.  Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Ranjith Uyangoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Anura Siriwardena, Director General of Commerce R.D.S. Kumararatne, EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf Kachchi Maraikkar and senior officials from the Ministries of Finance and Planning and Industry and Commerce, the Department of Commerce, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing and the Consul of Sri Lanka in Chengdu participated in the events.

Sri Lankas' Participation at SIAL - 2014

Sri  Lanka  Export  Development  Board  in  collaboration  with  the  Consulate  General  Office  in Toronto, Canada organized the Sri Lanka’s participation at SIAL Canada 2014. . Five Sri Lankan food &  Beverages exporting companies participated in the programme.

• Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.
• Consolidated   Business   Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. 
• HJS Condiments Ltd. 
• Wichy  Plantation  Company  (Pvt) Ltd  
• Tea Talk (Pvt) Ltd.
• Food & Nature (Pvt.) Ltd. (observer) 

The total value of the confirmed orders exceeded 400,000 US Dollars as at  31st  May 2014.

Canada, Morocco, USA, New Zealand, Algeria confirmed their orders on following products,

• Biscuits
• Virgin Oil
• Fruit Juice
• Coconut Milk
• Virgin Coconut Oil
• Tea
• Cinnamon and Other Spices

List of countries having orders under Negotiation

• Guyana
• USA
• Canada
• Morocco
• Germany
• Mexico
• China

Basilur Tea Canada, allied to its Sri Lankan firm Basilur Tea, has clinched the top award in SIAL Canada 2014.  Basilur's  herbal  tea  product  "Fruit  Infusions"  received  the  highest  award  called 2014  Top  -10  Product  Award  at  SIAL  Canada.  This  is  considered  by  many  food  industry specialists as a Very rare achievement since Basilur has reached the TOP 10 twice within last three years. 

Basilur Tea is one of the many products that we promote in Canada and it is one of our flagship products and ranked among many of our success stories in Canada.  

Rishad leading strong biz delegation to Kunming kick-off

Asian Tribune - 07/06/2014

Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka addresses the seventh China - South Asia Business Forum (CSABF) held at the Convention Centre of Kunming City in Yunnan Province, China, in 2012 June.

As bilateral trade with China crossed $ 3 Bn, one of the biggest ever trade and business delegations from Sri Lanka is flying to grace the 22nd Kunming international Fair in China which kicks off tomorrow June 06.

“Sri Lanka has been taking part in this event when it was held for the first time in Beijing in 2007. With one of the biggest EDB supported delegations, we are hopeful of good results this year as well” said an upbeat Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) on the eve of 04 June.

Minister Bathiudeen was speaking to his top officials prior to his departure on the eve 04 June to take part in the second China–South Asia Expo and 22nd Kunming Fair held in Kunming, China. In this tour, the EDB functioning under Minister Bathiudeen is facilitating no less than 118 Lankan business reps –one of the biggest B2B delegations to Kunming from Sri Lanka-who are joining Minister Bathiudeen and his team of five other officials.

The Kunming Fair has become one of the four top annual events (such as the Canton Fair) in China’s trade calendar. Due to its high prominence in the trillion dollar GDP nation, the Kunming Fair has become the second biggest annual fair in the South West China region. Sri Lanka has consistently been one of the strongest South Asian participants at this expo.

The 118 companies and businesses facilitated by EDB represent such diverse product and service sectors as tea, gem and jewelry, arts, crafts and handicrafts, coconut fiber, ayurvedic and herbal products, and even gem cutting and polishing. Sources from Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) said that 22 business reps from the Chamber representing such firms as Asian Promoters, Rainbow Travels and Tours, Christ Gems and Jewellers, Senira Lanka, are headed to Kunming at the second China–South Asia Expo and 22nd Kunming Fair which will commence tomorrow 06 June and will end on 10 June. The fair is jointly hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the Governments of Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi and Tibet, and Chengdu Municipal (People’s) Government.

The total trade turnover between China and South Asia rose to $ 92 Bn in 2012. According to the Department of Commerce, China’s trade with Sri Lanka stood at US $ 3,084.22 Mn ($ 3 Bn) in 2013.

EDB PAVILION AT FACETS SRI LANKA 2014

edirectory.lk 

An ideal opportunity for SMEs
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) will be organizing a special pavilion at FACETS SRI LANKA – International Gem & Jewellery Show 2014 to be held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center from 04th to 07th September 2014.

Objective
The objective of organizing this special pavilion is to give an opportunity for the SME Gem & Jewellery manufacturers to showcase their products and make use of the event as a platform for them to enter into the international market.

For whom
Small & Medium scale exporters / potential exporters manufacturing gold, silver and fashion jewellery.

Selection & Assistance
The EDB intends selecting 15-20 Small & Medium scale exporters / potential exporters manufacturing gold, silver and fashion jewellery to participate at the above show. The participants will be selected by an interview panel appointed by EDB.

Selected SMEs will be provided with space and display facilities by the EDB

Commitment by the participants
Selected SMEs will have to meet the full cost of production of sample jewellery collection under the guidance of the EDB.

Application procedure
Applications should be made on the prescribed form available at the Industrial Products Division of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, 6th Floor or the Provincial office of the EDB. The applications could also be downloaded from the EDB website www.srilankabusiness.com.

Duly completed application forms should be sent under registered post to reach the Director, Industrial Products, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, NDB/EDB Tower, No: 42, Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2, on or before 9th June 2014.
For further details please contact Mr. Harsha Pathberiya, Deputy Director Tel: 011-3135741 or 011-2300705 – 11 Ext. 354. Fax 011-2303025, Email: hdp [at] edb [dot] tradenetsl [dot] lk.

6th FOOTWEAR & LEATHER FAIR 2014

6th FOOTWEAR & LEATHER FAIR 2014

7TH TO 9TH FEBRUARY 2014

BMICH- COLOMBO

The Footwear & Leather fair 2014 6th edition

The 6th Footwear & Leather fair 2014 was held from 7th to 9th February 2014 at the Sirimovo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center concluded successfully.

It was organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in association with the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Industrial Development Board (IDB) and the Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers Association (SLFLPMA).

The Footwear & Leather fair 2014 was ceremonially inaugurated by Hon Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development. Hon Rishard Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Hon Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Deputy Minister of Industry & Commerce and Hon. Weerakumara Dissanayaka, Deputy Minister of Traditional industries & Small Enterprise Development were the Guests of honor at this event. Large gathering of diplomats form countries namely Iraq, Italy, Vietnam, Netherlands, Iran, Nigeria, Indonesia, Turkey, India, France, European Union, Libya, Romania, Cuba, Malaysia and Germany was presented at the opening ceremony.

The main objectives of this years’ fair was to strengthen and sustain the image of the industry, to promote Sri Lankan export capabilities among international buyers, providing opportunity for SME’s to improve their talents and capabilities to become export ready companies and to upgrade technological capabilities of SME’s and encourage them to move in to manufacture of value added products to cater to the international market.
There were 107 local companies and 20 foreign companies, amounting total of 225 stalls exhibited their products at the fair. There were 19 Indian companies who are the members of “Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers' Association” (IFCOMA) has participated at the exhibition at the IFCOMA pavilion.

• Special Events 

• Fashion Show

An exclusive Fashion show depicting the latest trends and designs of footwear and leather products held on 8th February 2014 added value to the event and Sri Lanka’s leading footwear and leather products manufacturers/exporters showcased their products at this show.

•  Design Competition

A   Design Competition was organized to provide an opportunity for upcoming young designers to showcase their talents. The competition was held under four categories namely Ladies Footwear, Gents Footwear, Special Category (Sandal or Slipper (ladies & Gents) made out of environmental friendly material) and Leather Products (Ladies hand Bags, Travel bags & Backpacks).
The winners were awarded the gold, silver, bronze trophies and  certificates for each category at Design Award Ceremony which was held on the 09th February 2014.

• Best stall competition

A best stall competition has been organized at the fair with the objective of encouraging companies to showcase their capabilities in a professional and attractive manner by designing their stalls up to international standards.

A trophy and a certificate was awarded to the winner of the best stall competition and certificates for first and second runners up. These awards were presented during the Design Award Ceremony.

Sri Lanka excels at 82nd Izmir International Fair in Turkey……

 

Sri Lanka, the first ever country in Asia has been offered the “Partner Country” status at the 82nd Izmir International Fair, the oldest Trade Exhibition in Turkey.  Sri Lanka’s participation promoted Sri Lanka as a reliable destination for trade investment & tourism and showcased the best that the island paradise has to offer,   under the theme “Sri Lanka -Wonder of Asia”.  This theme is in line with the Mahinda Chinthanaya,  vision of the President of Sri Lanka who has given the leadership to initiate a grand scheme of progress and development in the country.

Sri Lanka’s Partner Country participation organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), which aims to drive the national economy through export growth. The main objectives of the event were to promote and re-position Sri Lanka’s trade, investment and tourism and instill confidence in the country’s high-quality products and services among international buyers.

Sri Lanka’s participation showcased a unique combination of an exhibition, B2B meetings and corporate events. Every endeavor was made to make it a valuable business experience for all stakeholders.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board acts as a catalyst to achieve Sri Lanka’s export target of US Dollars 15 billion by 2015.  It is expected that Sri Lanka’s exports will receive a boost with the Sri Lanka’s participation at the event.

Parallel to the exhibition, there were meetings with the ambassador to Gambia, ministerial delegation of Libya, trade delegation of Indonesia, Governors of Izmir & Sinop City of Turkey and B2B meetings with eminent business leaders in Turkey from trade, investment & tourism to network with the trade delegation of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s participation showcased a wide array of high-quality export products.  It is expected to follow up with the inquiries received and negotiate for export orders with the buyers from strategic markets around the world, who had networking with the Sri Lanka trade delegation.

Sri Lankan cultural performances and the stall which projected Sri Lanka’s culture and the Art at the event attracted many visitors to the Sri Lanka Partner Country Pavilion, inquiring to facilitate travel to Sri Lanka.
Hon. Rishad Bathuideen, Minister of Industry & Commerce, made a speech at the ceremonial opening held on 29th August 2013 and Hon. Fizar Mustaffa, Deputy Minister of Tourism Development also accompanied Hon. Minister of Industry & Commerce. The reception hosted by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Turkey was attended by many ambassadors to the countries and other eminent representatives from trade and investment of participating countries.

Sri Lanka’s Partner Country participation was a very successful one.  It will be a window of opportunity for foreign buyers hoping to benefit from the Sri Lanka’s lucrative and rapidly growing export market.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board is dedicated to creating export growth and competitiveness through global awareness of what Sri Lanka has to offer promoting Sri Lanka – Wonder of Asia at international trade events.

Sri Lanka makes their presence felt at the Paperworld 2013 exhibition held in Frankfurt

The Paperworld International Trade Fair is  a specialized fair for office supplies, school supplies, stationery and paper products held annually. It is an important venue for developing new contacts and maintaining existing business relationships for Sri Lankan exporters in the printing and stationery industry.  It is well recognized by buyers to source gifts and premium products including Office and School Supplies and Christmas Decorations. 

Paperworld 2013, held in January 2013 at Frankfurt, Germany which provided a great opportunity for exhibitors and trade visitors to study and analyze the position of the competitors and global market trends in products and  prices.  It also provided an insight into innovative and eco friendly products made of environmental friendly materials.

Facts at a glance

 2,967 exhibitors and 83,206 visitors from all over the world participated in paperworld  2013

• Everything revolved around tomorrow’s trends, impulses and business opportunities.
• 66 countries presented their latest products and marketing concepts at the Paperworld, Creativeworld and Christmas world trade fairs in Frankfurt.
• With its comprehensive complementary programme, Paperworld was also a valuable source of impulses and ideas: important trends, such as the presentation of themed and product worlds, commercial purchasing, multi-channel strategies and sustainability, were taken up in business programmes, special presentations and forums.
• Almost 300 people attended Procurement Business Programme, which was aimed at buyers of commercial office materials from private companies and public authorities with 100 or more office workplaces. This is an increase of 70 percent over last year.

 Sri Lankan Participants – Country pavilion organised by EDB –Sri Lanka

• Amoha Pvt Ltd (Back to Earth)
• PrintXcel
• Graphic Sytems (Pvt) Ltd
• Nalaka Stationary
• CIC Holdings 
• Toppan Forms 
• Madhawee Printers

Recommendations made by the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Frankfurt Germany

Paper world, creative world, and Christmas world is an emerging market in Europe.

It presents enormous business opportunity for businesses in Sri Lankan in terms of presenting their creative and production capacity. It also gives an opportunity to Sri Lankan companies to meet with companies that are looking for prospective business partners in the east.

After the successful completion of Paperworld this year we encourage companies to make arrangements in advance to participate in next year’s event.

Contact the trade division of the consulate for further information and assistance

The European Seafood Exposition (ESE) - 2013

Sri Lanka Stall at the European Seafood Exposition

The European Seafood Exposition (ESE) is the world's largest seafood fair. Attracting buyers and sellers from over 140 countries around the world and featuring the stands of over 1,600 exhibitors. The European Seafood Exposition is the global can't-miss fair for the seafood industry.

Since the ESE is the most prominent fair for the seafood sector and also considering the Europe as Sri Lanka’s key market, Sri Lanka has been participating regularly at this fair since 2007.  The previous participations have brought tangible outcome for Sri Lanka’s fisheries export sector.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in the Belgium Organized  a Sri Lanka pavilion at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) held in the Belgium from 23rd to 25th April 2013.

Six Exhibitors from Sri Lanka participated in the ESE 2013

1.Aloy Expo (Pvt) Ltd
2. Tropic Frozen Foods (Pvt) Ltd
3. Tess Agro
4. Global Sea Foods (Pvt) Ltd
5. Serendib Foods (Pvt) Ltd
6. Deshan International Imports and Exports (Pvt) Ltd

International Food & Drink Exhibition - 2013

17^th to 20^thMarch 2013 - London

by Udeni Wijekoon - EDB

Maliban Biscuit pvt Ltd exhibits their products

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK proposes to organized  a Sri Lanka pavilion for the first time at the International Food & Drink Exhibition held in the United Kingdom from 17th to 20th March 2013.

A group of following 5 exhibitors from the food & beverage product sector was assisted to participate at this fair.

• Wichy Plantation Company Pvt Ltd
• Renuka Agri Foods Plc 
• Maliban Biscuit pvt Ltd
• Ceylon Biscuits Ltd 
• Ceylon Tea Land  (Pvt) Ltd

Renuka Agri Foods Plc exhibits their products

The IFE has been the UK’s largest and most important food and drink trade show since 1979. The entire international food and drink community gathers at IFE once in every two years to source new products, meet the trade and keep up with industry trends. It targets the food and drink industry across the retail, catering, manufacturing and wholesale sectors and attracts importers and distributors not only from the United Kingdom, but also from the other European and the Middle East countries. The IFE 2013 showcased around 1,200 exhibitors and attracted 27,180 visitors from 86 countries. 

Stall of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd

The EDB reserved a space of 36sq.mtrs. for the Sri Lanka pavilion to accommodate 05 exporters. A panel comprising of members from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Department of Commerce, and EDB interviewed the applicants.

The applicants were evaluated on multiple criteria including their export performance, production capacity, product suitability and experience in the export market, future export plans and managerial capability. 

Gulfood 2013 - Dubai, UAE

25th - 28th February 2013

Sri Lanka Pavilion at Gulfood-2013

 The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai in UAE organized  Sri Lanka pavilion at the Gulfood 2013 International Fair  held on Dubai, UAE from 25th - 28th February 2013.

The Gulfood International Fair is one of the most established events in the world for buyers to source food & beverage products. The EDB has identified Gulfood Trade Fair held annually   in   UAE to promote Sri Lankan food and beverage products. It caters not only to the UAE but also to the Middle Eastern and African markets as a whole.

Gulfood 2013


The eighteenth  edition of the annual food and hospitality trade show – as an event that has grown consistently over the last twenty-six years to become a significant driver of the food and beverage trade for global markets. It is clear that Gulfood delivers substantial business contracts and facilitates unrivalled trade opportunities for both regional and international businesses.

About 4,200 companies from 110 countries are showcasing their latest products and technology solutions at this year's exhibition, which covers a space of approximately 113,398 sq m. The number of trade visitors to the show were70,000 among the companies and brands participating in the event were  are Barry Callebaut, Bon Cafe, Dilmah, Electrolux, General Mills, Hershey's, IPS, Knorr, Lipton, Sadia, Tetrapak, Unilever and Valrhona.

Gulfood’s host city, Dubai is a long-established gateway to the Middle East’s burgeoning markets and plays a key role in the success of the exhibition. Strategically  located at the crossroads of important shipping routes across the Atlantic Indian and Pacific oceans, Dubai remains well-connected to the Gulf States, North, South, West and East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Adding to its excellent location, the city’s state-of-the-art business infrastructure and logistical facilities also make it an important market for food exports and re-exports. Nearly 50 per cent of the food imported by the UAE is re-exported to other GCC countries in addition to Russia, India, Pakistan and East Africa.

Sri Lanka’s Participation at Gulfood 2013 

• Ceylon Fresh Teas (Pvt) Ltd
• Zakir Sha Exports Pvt Ltd
• Food & Nature (Pvt) Ltd
• Ceylon Biscuits Limited
• Finlays Colombo Plc
• NMK Agro Industries (Pvt) Ltd
• Bio Extracts (Pvt) Ltd
• Ceylon Cold Stores Plc
• Expolanka (Pvt) Limited
• Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd
• G.P. De Silva & Sons Int’l (Pvt) Ltd
• Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons (Pvt) Ltd
• Edna Chocolates (Ceylon) Limited
• Adamexpo
• Ceylon Agro Products Holdings

Footwear & Leather Fair 2013

8th to 10th   February 2013 – BMICH, Colombo
Final Press Release

“Footwear & Leather Fair 2013”   organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in Association  with the Ministry of Industry & Commerce  , Industrial Development Board (IDB), Sri Lanka Footwear & Leather Products Manufacturers  Association  concluded successfully on the  10th February 2013 at the Sirimavo  Bandaranaike Memorial  Exhibition centre at BMICH.   This was the 5th of its kind, previous fairs been held in year 2007, 2009, 2010 & 2012.

The fair was ceremonially inaugurated by The Chief Guest Hon. Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka.  Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka and Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, were the guests of honor at the event. H.E Mahinda Rajapaksa The President of Democratic and Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka visited the fair on the 10th of February, 2013 on the invitation of Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka.

The Fair consisted of 213 trade stalls displaying Footwear, Leather products & travel goods,    raw material, machinery, components and other related services. Local Manufacturers of  footwear , leather goods , travel goods ,components & accessories and  local and foreign importers of raw material  &  components  exhibited  their products at this fair .There was a  special  Display only area in the Hall A  organized for the exporters and  potential exporters. Sri Lanka’s top brands of Footwear & Leather Products were displayed at this fair. More than 20,000 people including importers, agents, suppliers manufacturers and the public visited the fair.

        

The main objective of this fair was to give recognition to the Industry locally and internationally. Identifying  most creative and skilled SME manufactures  to be developed as potential exporters, building  linkages  of SMEs with the large scale manufacturers,  create awareness  of the opportunities  available for  Industrialists  in the  international market are among the other  objectives .

Sri Lanka is renowned for its apparel Industry. The buyers of garments from Sri Lanka buy their leather goods from neighboring countries.  The EDB’s intention is to promote our Footwear & Leather Industry to attract these buyers to buy their footwear leather products also from Sri Lanka.