Aroma traders delegation to visit Lanka

The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Traders (IFEAT) in collaboration with The Spice Council (TSC), Spices and Allied Products Producers' and Traders' Association (SAPPTA) and Sri Lankan members of IFEAT are organising a study tour to Sri Lanka from April 24-30, 2005.

Around twenty five (25) foreign participants (IFEAT members) from countries around the world are expected to attend the study tour. These participants are the world's leading buyers of essential oils and oleoresin.

The objective of the tour is for them to gain knowledge of the production and trading systems for spices, essential oils and oleoresin in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive field tour has been organised to the main Spice producing areas (Katuwana, Ambalangoda, Kosgoda, Kabaragala, Wattegama, Katugastota and Matale) in Sri Lanka, designated cinnamon day, citronella day, cardamom, clove, nutmeg and pepper day.

The timing of the tour has been selected to match observations of cropping of the major spices of Sri Lanka. This is also a unique opportunity for local exporters of Essential Oils and Oleoresin to interact with the IFEAT delegates. The IFEAT Tour Planning Committee comprises Oiliver de Bontim and Alastair Hitchen, with the Consultant being Clinton Green.

The organising committee in Sri Lanka is chaired by Dr. Devapriya Nugawela of Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd. Other members of the committee are Sarada de Silva, (Chairman, TSC), S.A. Carder (Chairman, SAPPTA), Gehan de Silva, (H.D.De Silva Ltd.), D.A. Perera (EOAS international) and Anver Chatoor (A.S. Chatoor and Co. Ltd.).

The program co-ordinator is Fazal Mushin of Link Natural Products.