Paperworld Middle East – 6-8 March 2012 

The consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt Office in Pakistan and Dubai organized, for the first time, a country pavilion at the Paperworld Middle East 2012 which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8 March 2012.

The second editions of Paperworld Middle East is clearly consolidating its positions as effective trade platforms, attracting a representative gathering of leading international and regional manufacturers and suppliers.

Paperworld Middle East, representing the world of office and stationery, features a wide range of international paper products and office supplies from around the world.  This year a large number of exhibitors are showcasing sustainably produced products as the industry responds to growing green consciousness among its customers.  This year’s event received considerable international participation from ten dedicated country pavilions, which include those representing exhibitors from Germany,          Singapore, Tunisia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Italy, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and China.

The following Sri Lankan Companies participated at the Paperworld 2012 in Dubai.

1) Graphic Systems (Pvt) ltd.,# 835, Kotte Road, Etul-Kotte, Sri Lanka.

2) Print Xcel Private Limited, 34/5, Sulaiman Terrace, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka.

3) Srinko Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd.,30/11, Robert Gunnawardena Mawatha, Kirullapone, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka.

4) Madhawee Printers (Pvt.) Ltd., No. 624, Kandy Road, Bulugaha Junction, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

5) Colour Products (Pvt.) Ltd., 437/4, Ragama Road, Kadawatha, Sri Lanka.

6)  Toppan Forms (Colombo) Ltd., 345, Shanthi Mawatha, Alubomulla, Panadura, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Companies who have been traditionally participating at the Paperworld Exhibition in Frankfurt decided to take part at Dubai fair for the first time, as the growing interest of paper and paper products in the Middle East Market.  In Addition to the above Sri Lankan Companies a delegation led by Sri Lanka Printers Association also attended the Exhibition as Observers.

Taking the opportunity for publicity, the Consulate General in Dubai also promoted Sri Lanka tourism in the Country Pavilion.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Dubai & Northern Emirates

12th March 2012

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai organized Sri Lanka Participation at the Gulf Food International Fair in Dubai from 19th to 22nd February 2012 with the participation of leading exporters from the Food and Beverage sector of Sri Lanka.

The Export Development Board has launched, strategic initiatives to develop the export sector  and achieve the export target  of US $ 15 Bn in 2015, while consolidating the market position in the EU, USA and to pay particular attention to seven identified key product sectors which will contribute over 80 percent of total export value. As  exports  contribute nearly 17%  to the GDP, the  policy  framework of the country accords high   priority   for   the development  of    the export  sector.

The development and promotion of Food and Beverages sector has been identified as one of the priority areas among seven leading product sectors. The EDB has continuously highlighted the importance of participation at the reputed trade fairs such as Gulf Food as a key promotional tool of export development.

Today, Sri Lanka is proud of the fame it has achieved internationally through exporting more than 4000 products of competitive quality. The Food and Beverage sector plays a significant role in Sri Lanka export trade shaping the national economy.

Sri Lanka’s total exports to the world have increased from US $ 7,122 million in 2009 to US $ 10017 Mn in 2011 while exports to Middle East have increased from US $ 749 million to US $ 980 million during the same period. UAE Exports increased from US$ 211 Mn to US$ 297 Mn in the respective period. The Middle East is the main gateway to export to many other countries. A constant touch with the market development is a must to grab opportunities to promote Sri Lankan products. Sri Lanka has been trading with UAE for considerable period and it continues to remain one of the Sri Lanka’s major trading partners. However, the balance of trade is in favour of UAE.

Trade with UAE. 

 Tea, natural rubber, coconut oil, desiccated coconut, Copra, areca nut, cashew essential oil, fruits and vegetables, processed foods sea food, rubber products and toys are the major exports from Sri Lanka to UAE.

In view of the importance of the Food and Beverage sector and Gulf market for Development of exports, the Gulf Food 2012 has been identified by the EDB as an appropriate market promotional tool.

Gulf Food Exhibition is one of the world’s biggest food & beverage trade fairs which is held annually and is considered as one of the world most important trade shows for the food & beverage trade where the exporters can find new buyers and to develop existing contacts.
According to the fair authority information, 110 national pavilions will   participate at the event this year with more than 3500 international and national companies.

The specialty of Gulf Food exhibition is strictly limited only to trade and business professionals related to the industry. Also it is an exhibition that covers food beverage and hospitality event.

Being an institution enthused in organizing Trade Fairs, EDB participates at this fair since 2008 providing opportunities to Sri Lankan food and Beverages exporters to penetrate the Gulf Region.

Sri Lanka was able to execute approximately US $ three million worth of orders as direct result of the participation of this trade fair last year.

The objective of Sri Lanka participation at this trade Exhibition is to increase the volume of exports of food and beverages to Middle East and it is expected to introduce new products to Gulf region. In addition, it will be a forum for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to exchange views and seek market opportunities available for lucrative business transactions in the region.

Twelve (12) leading Sri Lankan exporters will showcase Food & Beverage products including Sri Lankan tea (known for generations as Ceylon Tea) which satisfies 20% of global demand and Pure Ceylon Cinnamon which Sri Lanka produces in highest- grade  and for which Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer and exporter and  has  achieved  90% of global market share, at the Sri Lanka pavilion at Gulf Food this year. Sri Lanka is world famous for its quality tea branded as Ceylon Tea all over the world. Spices, Coconut Kernel products, Cashew, Oil seeds, processed foods, Canned Fruit juice, Confectionary, bakery products are a few other products that Sri Lanka offers with high supply capability to the international market. The nation today proudly offers the branded food and beverages products such as world famous Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka Pineapple and Tuna to the international community.

Today Sri Lanka has a conducive environment offering the international community ample opportunities for trade and Investment. As such, EDB cordially invites the business community in Gulf region to visit the Sri Lanka stall, which will display quality food and beverage products from Sri Lanka.  

Sri Lanka exporters also will get the opportunity of learning about the new products available in the market, new technology used in the manufacturing process and international competitors for their products, which will eventually help them to be more competitive in the international market.

EXPO 2012

Sri Lanka Expo 2012 is a mega trade, investment and tourism promotion initiative to be staged during 28th – 31sth March 2012, at BMICH, Colombo under the theme “Partnering with the Hub of Asia”. It is planned to be a spectacular showcase of Sri Lanka’s export quality products and services. The exhibition will display an array of traditional and non-traditional products under three broad sectors of Agriculture & Fisheries, Industrial Products and Services, demonstrating our strengths in state-of-the-art technology, on green and ethical manufacturing practices and also our capability to offer products to all international standards.

The Expo will bring together a spectacular showcase of Sri Lanka’s export quality products and services, numerous industry experts, public and private sector representatives, trade and business associations, and international buyers from every corner of the world, offering a rich multicultural mosaic of knowledge to visitors.

Visitors will have access to the best of Sri Lankan exporters, and discover the finest products and services under one roof. Over 300 manufacturing exporters will showcase a wide array of goods and services ranging from Ceylon Tea to Ethical Garments and Gems to Business Process Outsourcing. A tantalizing array of uniquely Sri Lankan exports will span three broad sectors of Agriculture & Fisheries, Industrial Products and Services.

Together with the gigantic development drive of infrastructure and industries aided by consistent, decisive government policy, and the value- addition and diversification of Sri Lankan products and services, Sri Lanka is geared to be the world’s premier sourcing destination.
The exhibition will form a vivid picture of the diverse, high quality products and services of Sri Lanka, showcasing these on a single platform with over 300 stalls.

So join us this March at the beautiful and convenient locations earmarked for Expo 2012, and be a part of a veritable highlight reel of exhibition, technical sessions, keynote addresses and corporate events in the vibrant and conducive climate of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

 List of Exhibitors at GulfFood 2012

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in collabaration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organized a Business Networking Dinner Meeting on Monday, 20th February 2012, at Le Meridien hotel in Dubai.

35 Sri Lankan companies participating under the EDB, Tea Board and individul capacities attended the dinner meeting and interacted with 75 UAE based companies invited by the Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai.

In his welcome address, Mr. Abdul Raheem, Consul General of Sri Lanka, mentioned that the large presence of Sri Lankan companies at the Gulf Food shows the significant importance of the regional market for the Sri Lanka's Food and Beverage sector and to expand their export capacities in the Middle Eastern market. He also made a presentation on Expo 2012 and invited the UAE based companies to visit Sri Lanka and to take the advantage of trade, investment and tourism opportunities as Sri Lanka has now set to become the 'Wonder of Asia' by 2016.

H.E. Mr. Sarath Wijasinghe, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in UAE highlighted in his keynote address, the conducive environment that has been established in the country after the defeat of terrorism in 2009. He also invited all UAE entrepreneurs to take part in the forthcoming mega trade event which will be hosted after 15 years.

Mr. Ranjith Abaykoon, Minister (Tea Promotion), Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai, made a presentation on Ceylon Tea – Leader in the Global Tea Industry. Mr. Jayantha Karnavaratna, Chairman/Imperial Teas appreciated in his remark the number of promotional intiatives taken by the Government to promote Sri Lanka's trade and investment in the global market.

Mr. Farook Kassim, Chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai and the media personnel also attended the dinner meeting.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Dubai and Northern Emirates, UAE

22nd February 2012

Our nation is fortunate to celebrate the 64th Independence Day with a genuine sense of dignity about freedom.

Today the national flag flutters, pointing to a new country in the making. The way is open for an independent economy. It daily reinforces the nation’s aspirations for a prosperous future. It has given us the freedom to decide upon issues concerning the country and the nation without bowing down before external powers. I strongly believe that is the immense responsibility the nation has entrusted us. It is a great pleasure to see the steady consolidation of supreme independence.

The country’s achievements would be secured when opportunities for peace, co-existence as well as harmonious living are widened. Sacrifices made so far to reach that objective have to be secured in future too. We would no longer hesitate to take decisions towards fostering national unity through an indigenous programme of action. We overcame diverse challenges the country faced with extreme patience. We have built productive economic, political, defence, trade and cultural links with the international community through friendly contacts. We must preserve all this by working more rationally, intelligently and patriotically than even before.

Similarly the country should be brought forward developing its value systems. It is only then that a prosperous life would emerge in a peaceful environment.

The nation’s respect and felicitations should go to all patriots who paid the supreme sacrifice, laying down their lives to overcome the nation’s challenges for the sake of supreme independence.

I wish a bright future.