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The Sri Lankan food and beverages sector has reported success from its recent participation in one of the world’s leading food events – Gulfood 2014.
“I praise your efforts to promote Sri Lankan food to this Gulf market,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 27 February in Dubai, visiting the Gulf Food Fair 2014 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai, and speaking to some of the Lankan stallholders there.
The Sri Lankan food and beverages sector was taking part in the series for the seventh run, starting for the first time in 2008.
The Gulf Food Fair is a leading global food industry event where top firms trading in food products, services and equipment conducted face to face business. The Fair was held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai from 23-27 February and more than 77,000 attendees from 152 countries were reported.
Top officials from 25 countries were participating in the event in which Sri Lanka was one, others being Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Korea and Lebanon.
EDB officials led the more than 50-member strong Lankan delegation which consisted of representatives from firms such as Maliban, Ceylon Biscuits, Adamjee Lukmanjee, Akbar Bros, Mabroc Teas, HVA Foods, Wichy Plantations, Finlays, Ceylon Tea Marketing, Ceylon Cold Stores, Ceylon Fresh Teas, BPL Teas and Adamexpo, among others.
Bathiudeen, who visited Sri Lanka’s stalls in Dubai on 27 February for an inspection, had discussions with the Lankan stallholders, inquiring about their progress at the event. Bathiudeen also praised the Lankan stallholders for their efforts to promote Sri Lanka at Gulfood 2014.
The upbeat Lankan representatives in Dubai praised EDB’s initiative and informed Bathiudeen that some of them have already requested the EDB to organise their presence at next year’s Gulfood event as well.
EDB officials said on 3 March that they were now in the process of evaluating the order values generated during this event.
“Lankan exports such as Ceylon Tea, coconut water, spices, coconut-based products and confectionary items including biscuits were the most in demand while Ceylon Cold Stores PLC favourites such as Ginger Beer (with the brand name ‘Ginger Bev’ for the Middle Eastern market), and Bitter Lemon received ready orders from Middle Eastern visitors.
Indian, Turkish, Albanian, USA, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwaiti participants were among the most drawn visitor segments to Lankan products on offer. $ 1.32 m on-the-spot orders were confirmed within the first two days alone. The EDB wishes to thank Dubai Consul General M. Abdul Raheem and his staff for Sri Lanka’s success at this event,” EDB officials said.
