‘Expo 2012’ promoted in Dubai

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board organised a luncheon business meeting with potential businessmen, importers, investors and travel operators to promote ‘Expo 2012,’ the mega trade event to be held in Sri Lanka from 28-30 March 2012.

EDB Chairman Janaka Ratnayake made the keynote address giving more details on ‘Expo 2012,’ which will be organised after a lapse of 15 years.

EDB Chairman Janaka Ratnayake (centre) addresses the launch of ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2012’ in Dubai. Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai M.M. Abdul Raheem (left) and Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai Chairman Farook Kassim are also present

Ratnayake urged Dubai-based entrepreneurs to visit ‘Expo 2012’ and take advantage of doing trade with Sri Lanka. He emphasised that EDB was planning to showcase all quality export products with 300 stalls of Sri Lankan exporters while expecting 1,000 foreigners including buyers and foreign ministerial delegations.

The Chairman said that ‘Expo 2012’ would not only promote Sri Lankan products, but also attract foreign investment and tourism under the ‘Expo 2012’ platform. In his presentation, he highlighted the potential sectors for trade expansion between Sri Lanka and the UAE and opportunities for investment in the Island after the defeat terrorism in 2009.

Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai M.M. Abdul Raheem in his welcoming remarks mentioned that the major objective of ‘Expo 2012’ was to reposition Sri Lanka as a lucrative business, investment and tourism destination in Asia.

Eradication of terrorism in the country has spurred interest of local and global investors in a vibrant range of sectors in the tropical Island. The Consul General proposed that with the assistance of Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai, Chambers of Commerce and the Trade Promotional Organisation in UAE, a strong delegation would be able to visit ‘Expo 2012’ in Colombo.

He invited the UAE-based businessmen to join the delegation, noting that his office would be glad to organise their visit in coordination with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai Chairman Farook Kassim and leading entrepreneurs based in UAE attended the meeting, which was the Road Show initiated by the EDB Chairman in promoting ‘Expo 2012’ among the leading trade partners of Sri Lanka in the globe.