Tea Producer's Forum Secretariat established in Colombo

Leading tea producing countries of the world met on January 21 in Colombo and decided unanimously to establish the 'International Tea Producer's Forum'(ITPF)

Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe exchanging the signed constitution with the Minister of State for Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Government of India Dr. Mrs. D. Purandeswari. Kenya’s Assistant Agriculture Minister Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki is also by the Minister’s side. Senior Government officials from Indonesia, Rwanda, Malawi and Iran also signed the document establishing the International Tea Producer’s Forum.

The meeting was pursuant to an invitation extended by Plantation Industries Minister and Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, to the major tea producing countries of the world. The sessions were chaired by the Minister of Plantation Industries. Participating countries included India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Malawi, Iran, Kenya, China and Sri Lanka.

At the conclusion of the deliberations, the Constitution of the ITPF was adopted, and a decision was taken to establish the Secretariat of the Tea Producer's Forum headquartered at Colombo, Sri Lanka as a transitional arrangement.

Countries who have signed the constitution subject to ratification and approval of their respective governments, include India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Malawi, Iran, Kenya and Sri Lanka.