Catalogue show of Sri Lankan products in City of Zarqa, Jordan

A catalogue show, displaying an array of company catalogues from Sri Lankan companies, was held on 23 August at the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce in the city of Zarqa which is the second largest city in Jordan. This is the second of catalogue shows that is conducted by the mission. This initiative comes as a part of government’s drive to promote economic diplomacy through diplomatic missions. 

The catalogue show of Sri Lankan products and services was conducted by the embassy with the patronage of Zarqa Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). The catalogue show displayed catalogues and brochures from around 50 Sri Lankan companies which mainly ranged from, agriculture, health, hospitality, electricity, manufacturing, food and beverage, natural rubber, spices and leisure industries. The exhibition of catalogues also included investment promotion material. It is the expectation of the mission that the catalogues distributed will not only serve as a guide for Jordanian businessmen but also as a business directory to find suppliers and business partners in Sri Lanka. 

The event was inaugurated with playing of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Jordan which was followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Jordan A.L.M. Lafeer, Chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce, Hussein Shreim and other members of the Zarqa Chamber. 

Hussein Shreim, Vice-chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce, addressing those who had gathered stated that Jordan is one of the main business partners of Sri Lanka within the region, however, there still lies a large business potential to be tapped between the two nations and this catalogue show is an important stride in the right direction. He also thanked the Ambassador for choosing the Zarqa Chamber for the catalogue show and assured its fullest corporation at all times. 

Ambassador Lafeer, having welcomed the Jordanian business community to the Sri Lankan catalogue show, briefed them about the enormous business potential Sri Lanka has to offer, beyond traditional tea imports from Sri Lanka which currently occupies a mammoth share of the trade volume between Sri Lanka and Jordan which is mostly in Sri Lanka’s favour. 

Ambassador further elaborating on the high quality products Sri Lanka has to offer, mentioned, among other such examples, that United States is currently the number one importer of Sri Lankan pneumatic tyres. Ambassador invited Jordanian businessmen to visit Sri Lanka to further explore the country not only to identify the business potential but also as a best destination for tourism and leisure. Currently, Sri Lanka is a sought after destination by Jordanian honeymooners and Ambassador went ahead stating that there is a lot more this ‘Paradise Island’ can offer to all Jordanians.

In concluding remarks, the Ambassador explained how Sri Lanka can also act as a corridor for Jordanian products as Sri Lanka has sighed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several South and East Asian countries and Jordanian exporters can make use of these FTAs to tap other markets beyond Sri Lanka. Ambassador also thanked the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce for their kind support to make this event a success.  

Before inauguration of the Sri Lankan Catalogue show, participants were invited to a screening of an audiovisual presentation on the Sri Lankan business climate, investment opportunities and tourism. During the event participants were also invited to Sri Lankan sweetmeats and Ceylon tea.