Thursday, 31 October 2013 01:25
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Over 500 Lankan and over 80 international firms at exposition to be held parallel to CHOGM
Largest exhibitors from China, India; One firm from Canada
Over 800 expected buyers at present
Mega event to highlight opportunities in Lanka’s exports, trade, tourism, logistics, knowledge and international compliance
The biggest trade, tourism and investment exposition in history continues to draw increasing numbers of participants – including one from Canada as of yesterday.
“As of now 660 Lankan and international exhibitors have confirmed for the ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’ event. We now have more than 800 expected buyers as well,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday.
Bathiudeen was addressing his top officials at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, acknowledging the updates on ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’.
Last week, a press conference was held to announce ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’ with the presence of Bathiudeen, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Susantha Punchinilame, and Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.
“The ‘Reflections’ event is expected to take Sri Lanka closer to the committed vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Bathiudeen added. This vision is enunciated in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future,’ of making Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’ and accordingly, realisation of the export goal of $ 20 b by 2020.
‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’ will showcase Sri Lanka’s trade, tourism and investment potential to the astute global visitors who will be in the country for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) session from 13 to 17 November.
The event, co-organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the EDB, is joined by Sri Lanka Tourism and the Board of Investment, and will be held at the scenic Jana Kala Kendraya, Battaramulla.
The ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’ historic Sri Lanka brand push targets no less than the movers and shakers, the international decision and policymakers as well as investment influencers in these arenas. The strategic thinking behind ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’ is to leverage the opportunities provided by CHOGM as a platform to illustrate Sri Lanka’s capacity to easily integrate with global value chains.
‘Reflections’ will also highlight the country’s logistic capabilities, high knowledge base and its dedication to international compliance standards encasing trade, tourism and investment opportunities in them.
The first aspect focused on by ‘Reflections’ is Sri Lanka’s international trade and exports. According to the EDB, which is working round the clock to make ‘Reflections’ a success, already 579 local exhibitors in SME, tourism, trade and investment have come forward to enlist for the trade exposition. The 579 consists of 355 exporters and 200 SME exhibitors and 24 local machinery exhibitors.
More importantly, 81 foreign companies, including machinery and hi-tech equipment exhibitors from key hotspot markets as China (42), India (21), Germany (4), Pakistan (4), Japan (3), Korea (2), Canada (1), Thailand, Thailand, UK and Dubai, had enlisted for ‘Reflections’ as of yesterday.
Furthermore, over 800 expected/prospective buyers (including South Africa and Iran as of yesterday) have come forward to enlist for ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka’. Buyer delegations from South Africa, China, India and Iran will also be visiting the exhibition. B2B meetings and factory visits will be facilitated at the exhibition ground at the EDB booth.
The international participants have enlisted through online registration and through the Sri Lankan missions in their respective countries.
‘Reflections’ will also feature an EDB organised pavilion showcasing the product capacity of 200 regional entrepreneurs, highlighting the strength of Sri Lanka’s regional basket. Arrangements have also been made for 50 SMEs to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum held in parallel to the CHOGM.
