Lankan trade, food fest in Muscat
The Sri Lankan embassy in Oman is all set to host the Sri Lankan
Trade Exhibition and Food Festival in Oman in October to mark 25 years
of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
|
Asoka Girihagama |
“The dates for the trade exhibition and food festival have been fixed
for October 10, 11, 12 at Al Falaj Hotel,” Sri Lankan ambassador Asoka
Girihagama said.
He said: “This is the first time in the recent past that Sri Lankan
entrepreneurs have an opportunity to showcase their products and
services in Oman. I believe Oman is one of the promising destinations
among the Gulf countries for Sri Lankan products.”
Around 40 Sri Lankan business firms and companies will exhibit around
30 different products including apparel, electrical and electronics,
foot wear and leather products, tea, printing and stationery, wooden
products, rubber and rubber based items, boat building, floriculture,
diamonds, gems and jewellery, ornamental fish, ceramicware, handlooms,
processed foods, toys, handicraft, tourism, herbal and spa, among other
items at the exhibition.
“We firmly believe that this trade exhibition will be a gateway to
Sri Lankan products to enter the Sultanate's market. We are positive
that we will be able to elicit a good response from people in Oman,”
Girihagama said.
The ambassador is positive this exhibition will contribute immensely
to the already close relations between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of
Oman.
“The trade between Sri Lanka and Oman stood at $102 million in 2010.
I believe it will grow up to $500 million during my stay,” said
Girihagama, who took office as ambassador some 10 months ago.
The ambassador also believes that the recently established Oman Sri
Lankan Business Council will boost trade ties.
“We are drafting the constitution for Oman Sri Lankan Business
Council. After setting up the constitution, we can link it up with the
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Girihagama said.
“Thereafter, we can promote Omani business in Sri Lanka and vice
versa. This is the objective of the business council,” he said. The food
festival planned on the sidelines of the exhibition will showcase the
culinary diversity of the country.
Inviting Omanis to discover Sri Lanka, the ambassador said: “We would
like to see more and more tourists visiting from the Middle East region
to Sri Lanka to see environmental and cultural diversity of this island.
The facilities in our hotel sector include prayer rooms and halal food
etc.”
Courtesy: Times of Oman |
