‘Ambiente’ trade fair welcomes Sri Lanka to Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt Group Senior Vice President Consumer Goods and Board Member Stephan Kurzawski

• Five Lankan exhibitors will be participating in Ambiente trade show next year
• Says high demand for Sri Lankan handicraft products

By Safna Malik

‘Ambiente’ the world’s largest international trade show organised by Messe Frankfurt, will have a Sri Lankan pavilion in 2020 to promote local consumer products and exports to the world market.

The biannual event Ambiente is scheduled to be held from 8 to 12 February 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany will have a range of consumer products of cooking, dining, housewares, interior design and furnishing. 

Messe Frankfurt is the world’s biggest trade fair, convention and event organiser which holds 146 trade fairs and exhibitions worldwide attracting 4.4 million visitors and 95,000 exhibitors annually. Ambiente also acts as a trading platform for numerous manufacturers specialised in products for the hospitality industry market. 

Speaking at a press briefing Messe Frankfurt SP Sri Lanka CEO Omer Salahuddin said that, Messe Frankfurt has been working with Export Development Board (EDB) and Industry and Commerce Ministry to have a country pavilion for Sri Lanka at the 2020 Ambiente show to showcase Sri Lankan consumer goods, especially handicrafts. 

Salahuddin highlighted that five Sri Lankan exhibitors are expected to be participate in Ambiente next year to showcase their products namely Dankotuwa, Selyn, Gospel House Handicraft, AMP Ceylon and Art Decoration.

He said seven Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers and two designers will participate for Messe Frankfurt’s Texworld Paris, the international fair for fashion fabrics, trims and accessories, which would be held during 17-20 September, this year. Sri Lankan designers are also expected to hold their own fashion show on 20 September as part of the event. “Messe Frankfurt also plans to open its local outbound sales office in Colombo this year,” he added.

Messe Frankfurt Group Senior Vice President Consumer Goods and Board Member, Stephan Kurzawski said that country’s product portfolio remains very attractive to the taste of the European consumer, which Sri Lanka should capitalise on. Ambiente trade show will be the best option for Sri Lankan consumer goods sectors to improve their market. 

He also noted that Sri Lanka has a high demand in world market for handicrafts, ceramic and other decorative items. According to organisers, the flow of Sri Lankan sellers drop in to Ambiente fair, choose to buy high-end lifestyle products which have been increasing every year.

 “As the demand of Sri Lankan household keeps changing, retailers will need to response quickly to the changing trends. At Ambiente this can be seen at the various halls, events and presentations,” Kurzawski said. 

Kurzawski said that exhibitors from around 90 countries will be setting trends for 2019 feature interior concepts, furniture, lighting, home textiles and home accessories. 

“Ambiente 2018 in Frankfurt featured around 4,376 exhibitors and attracted 130,000 trade visitors from 167 countries, occupying over 308,000 square metres, showcasing innovative products over five days.”

The top 10 visitor nations to Ambiente Italy, China, France, United Kingdom,

United States, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, South Korea and Switzerland. This is a unique chance for Sri Lanka to interact with the entire world in one location. 

“The trade show running on all five days will also offer a wide range of events, programs for newcomers and award ceremonies including trend presentations by industrial experts will share insights under the title of ‘Point of Experience’ focused on current market developments, changing role of trade, transformation of the point of sale and how product presentations can attract attention in the digital age,” he explained.

Pic by Daminda 

Harsha Perera