NCE participates at Hotel Asia Exhibition  & International Culinary Challenge 2011 in Maldives

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) participated at the Hotel Asia exhibition which was held in Male, Maldives from 14 to 16 July 2011.

The NCE is a private sector chamber with over 450 members of which 90% are exporters and the balance are service providers to exporters covering banking, shipping, air lines, freight forwarding, courier, telecommunications and the travel trade, etc. NCE is the only private sector chamber in Sri Lanka exclusively serving exporters.

NCE participation at the ‘Hotel Asia’ Trade Show was initiated by its President Sarath De Silva successfully and implemented by the Senior Manager for Trade Promotion, M. Shiham Marikar.

Marikar led a delegation of seven companies which exhibited their products in the NCE pavilion. International Food Stuff Group of Companies (IFCO), Royal Fernwood Porcelain Ltd., Dankotuwa Porcelain Ltd., Imperial Teas Ltd., Ranfer Teas, Vintage Teas and Virgin Coconut Industries were the companies which participated under the NCE banner.

The Chief Guest at the event was the Maldivian Economic Development Minister Mahmood Razee. After the formal opening ceremony at the exhibition the Minister was accompanied by NCE President Sarath de Silva, EDB Director General SujathaWeerakoon and NCE Senior Manager Trade Promotion Shiham Marikar for a separate opening ceremony of the NCE pavilion.

From the participants’ point of view the event was a success, so much so that IFCO, Royal Fernwood and Imperial teas are in the process of finalising their first orders generated through the exhibition. The other member companies which were represented by the NCE or who had their own stall have also received positive inquiries for their products.

The NCE’s main objective is to promote the products and services primarily of its members, and non-members as well at various international trade shows to contribute to the Sri Lankan Government vision to increase its exports to US$ 20 billion by 2020.

The NCE plans to participate in other important international trade shows which are appropriate to promote and develop exports from Sri Lanka.