Sri Lanka, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is an island renowned for its strategic location. Historically known as “Ceylon,” it has always been a geographically attractive hub for global value chains. Today, Sri Lanka continues to serve as an ideal trade hub in Southern Asia due to its strategic location and harbours. The country boasts abundant natural resources, skilled human resources, and advanced transportation and telecommunication services. In addition, Sri Lanka offers easily accessible business support services, positioning itself as a leading export-oriented economy. Hence, the Industry International Expo 2024 acts as one of the most foremost a platform to bring together industry related local and international stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
Organized by the Ministry of Industries and the Industrial Development Board (IDB), this expo, held June 19th to 23rd at the BMICH, brought together 25 industry sectors. It featured over 1,300 exhibitors who showcased a wide array of products and services of Sri Lanka. Given the opportunity, 4 Fairtrade certified producer organizations, their licensees and the Fairtrade NAPP team participated in Industry International Expo 2024 to promote fairtrade products in Sri Lanka. Hence, this Expo offers a comprehensive experience that includes an International Symposium, industry-related seminars and sharing experiences with industry leaders, and displaying innovative products.
This is a great opportunity by Fairtrade NAPP to market our products at IDBÂ exhibition. It was a great opportunity for us to visit in to the local market with our high quality export tea.” – Chamal Horana PLC, Horana Plantations PLC.
Fairtrade NAPP organized a booth to display their products. It helped finding reliable local and foreign partners to enhance your business, discovering the fairtrade products for new audience, establish new contacts and networks, engage in technology transfers to update and exhibit inventions while sharing experiences with industry leaders. The impact of this trade fair has been far and beyond. Throughout the 5-day event, they participated in various programs that facilitated discussions among potential buyers. The booth facilitated finding reliable local and foreign partners, discovering Fairtrade products for a new audience, establishing new contacts and networks, engaging in technology transfers, and exhibiting innovations.
This trade fair serves as a catalyst for the initiation of manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka, the discovery of updated industry knowledge, new business prospects, and attracting new investors and investment opportunities globally. Through the strategic involvement in such events, Fairtrade NAPP underscores the organization’s commitment to promoting Fairtrade efforts and products. This participation not only strengthens market penetration in Sri Lanka but also paves the way for future growth and collaboration in the region.
“This was a very good opportunity for the licensees and their producer organizations, who are trying to promote Fairtrade quality products in national market.” – Rajarathnam Gnanasekaran, Stassen Natural Foods (Pvt.) Ltd. (Idulgashina Bio Tea Garden).
