Sri Lankan delegation visits Dubai to sign participation Contract in World Expo 2020 –Dubai while seeking avenues in strengthening bilateral commercial relations with UAE

A delegation led by Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Nalin Bandara comprising officials of the public and private sector visited Dubai during 7^th to 11^th 2019 to sign Sri Lanka’s participation contract in World Expo 2020 which is scheduled to be held during 20^th October 2020 to 10^th April 2021 in Dubai. During the visit the delegation also sought possible avenues of strengthening bilateral economic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mrs. Indira Malwatte Chairperson and CEO of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the appointed Commissioner General of Sri Lanka for Expo 2020, signed Sri Lanka’s participatory contract with Mr. Najeed Mohammed Al Ali, Executive Director of Dubai Expo Bureau confirming Sri Lanka’s participation in EXPO 2020 on 8^th July 2019 at the Expo Bureau in the presence of Minister Nalin Bandara and Mr. Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates.

The Sri Lankan delegation also visited Expo 2020 construction site that included an inspection tour to Sri Lanka’s country pavilion which is being built in the “thematic district of opportunities” organized by the EXPO 2020 Bureau. The tour was followed by a meeting held between the visiting Sri Lankan delegation and the Executive Director and the other Senior Officials of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau to discuss details related to Sri Lanka’s participation at Expo 2020. During the meeting the EXPO organizers have assured extending their fullest support and cooperation towards successful Sri Lanka’s participation at the EXPO 2020.

During the visit, the Sri Lankan delegation also took the opportunity to meet the President and Chief Executive Officer and the other senior officials of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) which is country’s leading Business Chamber and held discussions in relation to seeking their assistance towards strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries.

Additionally, the visiting delegation held discussions with the President and other senior officials of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) followed by attending a joint business forum hosted by SCCI at the request of Sri Lanka’s Consulate General in Dubai. The well attended business forum was addressed by the Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade as well as other relevant delegates highlighting Sri Lanka’s importance as a trade, investment and tourism partner elaborating on details related to current country’s economic developments.

The visiting delegation also held discussions with the senior management of Lulu Group International which   is a UAE based leading hypermarket chains in the region as well as the group director and the senior management of Al Maya Group which is a leading Dubai based retails chain that operates supermarkets all over GCC countries, in relation to introducing new Sri Lankan products while enhancing current Sri Lankan exports to the UAE market as well as the other markets in the Middle Eastern region taking advantage of their strong presence in the  region.

On top of that, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai hosted a networking meeting on 9^th July 2019 at Pullman Hotel, Deira with the participation of office bearers/senior representatives of registered Sri Lanka business and professional Associations along with the community leaders providing   opportunity for the visiting delegation to apprise them details related to Sri Lanka’s participation at the EXPO 2020 while ascertaining views and suggestions and also to secure possible assistance from them in relation to successful Sri Lanka’s participation at the EXPO 2020.

Main part of the visiting delegation comprised of the senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Exports Development Board of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Board of Investments and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau representing the public sector while Secretaries General of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka were mainly represented the private sector.

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai &Northern Emirates arranged those meetings/forums for the visiting delegation in liaising with the relevant agencies in the host country and the Consul General Mr. Charitha Yattogoda, attended all of them accompanying the visiting Sri Lankan delegation.

Consul General Charitha Yattogoda addressing networking Meeting with the participation of Sri Lanka Business Council (SLBC), Sri Lanka Chartered Accountants’ Association-UAE Chapter (CA-SL), Sri Lanka Professionals’ Association (SLPA) and other community leaders.