Lanka has potential to capture Malaysian market

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Sri Lanka has much potential to capture the Malaysian market in many areas such as interior, construction, food and beverage, a Committee Member of the Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council Tilak N Gunawardena told Daily News Business.

The Tea Board stall at the Malaysian exhibition last year

He said that Malaysia is confident of maintaing a stable economy despite the global crisis and Sri Lanka will have new opportunities to enter a competitive market in Malaysia. He said that there will be two major exhibitions in Malaysia, namely “Interiors Malaysia 2009 and the “10th Malaysia International Food and Beverage Trade Fair”. The two exhibitions are scheduled to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from May 20-23 from July 9 to 11.

Gunawardena said that the companies have spent heavily to organize exhibitions in Sri Lanka for our exporters and manufacturers but very few foreign visitors attended the exhibitions during the past because of the country’s security situation.

However, the previous exhibitions held in Malaysia were well represented by forty-three countries such as China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and UK.

A similar crowd is expected this year as well and the organizers of the exhibition have arranged free seminars and one on one meetings for the exhibitors. He said that there will be a national pavilion for the first time where all Sri Lankan Companies can showcase their products in one place and as a cost cutting measure, a few companies can get together and share a stall . The World Trade Exhibitors (Pvt) Ltd , the only representative in Sri Lanka for Expomal Malaysia is facilitating Sri Lankan companies to take part in these exhibitions.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board is the only establishment which participated in this food and beverage exhibition in previous years and a Sri Lankan architect Nela De Soyza won an award for her architectural design at the interior exhibition.

Gunawardena who is also the Chairman of the World Trade Exhibitors said that his company has partnered with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, National Chamber of Exporters and Sri Lanka Tourism.