Sri Lanka shines at Global Trade Show in South Africa

Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria with the assistance of the trade promotional budget of the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka participated at the Global Trade Show of Networking & Matchmaking South Africa 2018 (GTS 2018) held from 27 to 29 July at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa. 

GTS is an international business and trade show, incorporating four co-located shows: Tools & Build Show (TBS) – focusing on tools, hardware and building supplies; Household & Appliances Show (HAS) – focusing on housewares, home appliances and furniture; Smart Electronics & Security Show (SES) – focusing on smart electronics and security products, as well as the Food & Beverage Show (FBS) – focusing on food and beverage products.

The samples, brochures, and banners received from Sri Lankan exporters interested in the South African market were displayed visualising product information ranging from Ceylon tea, rubber products, textiles, food products to Information Technology, etc. at the pavilion. The staff of the High Commission had B2B meetings with potential buyers and distributors at the stall and the details will be provided to respective exporters for further engagements. 

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony of the second edition of GTS 2018, Acting High Commissioner Thiloma Abayajeewa extended her best wishes and felicitations to the organisers and acknowledged the support received for Sri Lanka’s participation at the exhibition. Sri Lanka pavilion was declared opened by Ambassador of Colombia to South Africa María Eugenia Correa Olarte and South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Zeph Ndlovu by lighting the traditional oil lamp on 27 July. 

Conducting a comprehensive presentation on ‘Trade, Investment and Tourism Opportunities – Why Sri Lanka?’ at the workshop session of GTS, Kapila J. Kumara, First Secretary – Commercial invited participants to do business with emerging Sri Lanka and grow in Asia by taking advantage of improved investment climate and trading environment for foreign investors. He also invited the participants to visit recently launched Sri Lanka’s Trade Information Portals (TIP) for more information with regard to import and export including information on permits, laws and taxes. The three-day event was successfully concluded on 29 July.