Sri Lanka marked its presence at the annual SIAL trade fair -The Global Food Marketplace 2012- which was held in Paris from October 21 st to October 25 th , 2012. With over 100 000 visitors every two years, SIAL is considered to be the largest Food Marketplace in the world.
Several companies were represented under Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) and Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB): BPL Teas, Renuka Teas, Stassen Exports, Tea Trends Exports, Adamexpo, Asia Teas, Ceylon Biscuit Limited/CBL Natural Foods, CIC Agri Businesses, Consolidated Business Systems, Ellawala Horticulture, Expolanka, Food & Nature, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories, NMK Agro Industries, and Renuka Agri Foods.
17 other Sri Lankan companies were also present at this year’s edition: Akbar Brothers, Basilur Tea Export, Black Tea Exports, Ceylon Tea Land, Dilmah Fine Teas & Herbs, Empire Teas, English Tea Shop (UK)/Amazon Teas, Gemi Teas, Imperial Tea Exports, Mabroc Teas, Maltras International, McCoy Ceylon Commodities, Millennium Teas, Nature Ceylon Trading, UK Beverages, Venture Tea, and Vintage Teas Ceylon.
Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madam Sanja Jayatilleka marked the opening of both the SLTB and the SLEDB pavilions. While interacting with the Sri Lankan participants, Ambassador Jayatilleka highlighted that all companies presented their products with some very innovative design and packaging.
Following the opening, Ambassador Jayatilleka held a reception, on Tuesday 23 rd of October, 2012 at the Embassy premises. Gathered on this occasion were representatives of both government authorities and private sector companies. Also invited were post-graduates and young professionals of Sri Lankan origin, based in France. Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Jayatilleka referred to Prof. A.V.D.S. Indraratne, one of Sri Lanka’s most senior economist “[…] Prof. A.V.D.S. Indraratne made the point that sustained export growth is the key to sustained economic development […] I would say that you represent that sector of endeavor, of activity in Sri Lanka which is strategically most important to the national interest. […] and I was able to see how innovative all of you have been.”
Also speaking on the occasion was Ms. Theruni Sebastiampillai (Commercial Assistant/Embassy of Sri Lanka in France) who highlighted the importance of setting up regular information meetings between all trade actors. “ If we find the right balance between the private sector, government authorities and the Sri Lankan missions overseas, we would make an even greater contribution in terms of trade and investment. [..] An exchange of information through regular Information meetings if I may say, which may be organized on any level: regional, national, etc. These are ways that information can be diffused and made useful to overcome these barriers. This is even more important now that Sri Lanka is becoming a major hub in Asia while consolidating its place at an international level ” she said.
