Sri Lanka's Trade Exhibition and Food Festival in Oman:

An opportunity to promote bilateral trade

Priyanka Kurugala in Muscat

Many foreigners, Omanians and Sri Lankans attended the Sri Lankan Food Festival and Cultural show which was held along with the Sri Lankan Trade Exhibition and Food Festival-2013, in Oman, Muscat. It was held to mark 25-years of Oman - Sri Lankan diplomatic relations.

The Sri Lankan Trade Exhibition and Food Festival hosted by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Muscat was inaugurated under the auspices of Mohsin bin Khamis al Balushi, Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, at the Al Falaj Hotel's Grand Hall on Tuesday.

The exhibition and food fest featured over 30 Sri Lankan business firms and companies, exhibiting their variety of products which included apparel, processed food, a wide selection of teas, travel and tourism, herbal and spa products, floriculture, organic items, gems and jewellery, fruits and vegetables, hotel supplies, handloom products and human resource services, along with Sri Lankan herbal plants.

Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Oman, Asoka Girihagama, said that Sri Lankan entrepreneurs would have the opportunity to showcase their products and services in Oman, through this food festival. He believed that Oman was a promising destination for Sri Lankan products and services.

"The exhibition would be an excellent opportunity for both countries to promote and expand bilateral trade relations in the future. The exhibition would also further strengthen the excellent relationships and increase bilateral trade between the Sultanate and Sri Lanka, he added.

A number of Sri Lankan food items were exhibited at the food festival. Rice, String Hoppers, Hoppers, Rottee, Kotthu and sweetmeats such as Kewm, Kokis, and many more Sri Lankan sweetmeats were on display.

Kulasiri Budawaththa's dancing troop showcased many forms of Sri Lanka's traditional and creative dances at the Exibition.