Landmark Sri Lankan entrepreneurial exhibition in Oman

Plans are underway to create a platform for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services to their counterparts in the Sultanate of Oman with the hosting of the first ‘Sri Lankan Trade Exhibition & Food Festival 2012,’ on 9, 10 and 11 October 2012 at Al Falaj Hotel, Muscat.

The event is being organised under the auspices of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Sultanate of Oman by Arabian Expo (AE) and Business Process Outsourcing Services LLC (BPOS) Consortium in the Sultanate.

Sri Lankan Ambassador Asoka Girihagama to Oman said this is the first time such an exhibition was being planned by the Embassy and his primary focus was to increase bilateral trade between Oman and Sri Lanka.

“We want to show that the nation has more to offer than just tea and coconut. From apparel, IT and light engineering products to handloom, spices, organic and rubber-based products, we have shortlisted several categories that we can focus on,” said the Ambassador.

The exhibition will feature an impressive spectrum of products, including apparel, tea, rubber and rubber-based products, gems and jewellery, ICT/BPO, food and beverages, spices and allied products, ceramics, porcelain, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental fish, coconut and coir products, electrical, electronic products, printing and stationery, boat building, plastic products, footwear, leather products, giftware, toys, lifestyle products, handloom products, organic products, handicrafts, engineering products, wooden products, confectionery products, herbal and spa products.  

The array of products with a unique Sri Lankan flavour will give Omani business houses, decision makers, clients, customers, investors and visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to experience the true essence of Sri Lankan entrepreneurship. It will be an ideal occasion for Sri Lankan exporters to showcase their quality export products and services, traditional and non-traditional, at a single platform to an international audience.

Those keen to explore will find abundant opportunities for investment in Sri Lanka. The scope is immense – from infrastructure to agri-business, to manufacturing and a range of services. Sri Lanka also offers a rare package of skills, capacity and a willingness to learn and adapt.

Entrepreneurs, importers and multinational companies based in the Sultanate and neighbouring Gulf countries are being encouraged to visit the exhibition and take advantage of trading opportunities offered by Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s IT sector has very high potential along with strong capacity for BPO and KPOs. The BPO sector is open for high value addition process.

Its tourism market in the Sultanate has been encouraging and initiatives have already been taken to give publicity on Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions as Oman holiday makers are now interested in visiting Sri Lanka after the dawn of peace in the country.  The country is currently witnessing a boom in the sector and the target for the country is 2.5 m visitors by 2016.

With the efficient air connectivity Sri Lanka has with the Sultanate via SriLankan Airlines, there is a good opening for Sri Lanka to attract more tourists from Oman and the Gulf.  With that plan in sight, there is an urgent need to increase the hotel room capacity, giving huge scope for investment in the country.

A shortfall of hotel rooms while a tourism boom takes place opens opportunities for Omani construction firms in the island.  On the other hand, Oman is also becoming an important holiday destination for upper middle class Sri Lankans and there is an increase in tourist flows from Sri Lanka to the Sultanate.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of Sri Lanka’s international business development process especially now, as Sri Lanka will be completing 25 years of establishing diplomatic relations with the Sultanate of Oman in December 2012, and at a time when the country is in an accelerated growth phase after the cessation of hostilities which has brought peace to Sri Lanka,” said Anselm Perera, CEO of BPOS and President of OSBC.

The representative in Sri Lanka, Manager – Marketing & Promotions Chanaka Panditharatne will be pleased to clarify any queries and can be reached via telephone 112500891, mobile 0773409101 or email [email protected].