|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 27 January 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Creating
an identity for Lankan products in Dubai
Dubai has witnessed a rapid growth in trade and industrial activities during the last three decades and has emerged as one of the most important centres for imports, exports, and re-exports in the region, Suranjith Premadasa, Chairman Premadasa Group (Pvt) Ltd. said at a recent presentation on the Sri Lanka Trade Centre - Dubai, held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). Dubai, which occupies an outstanding position on the trade map of the Middle Eastern region, has been identified as a flourishing business centre in the Arabian Gulf region. It has acquired this position for several reasons, such as the strategic competitive location in the middle of the UAE coast stretching along 400 miles. Its location in the south-western part of the Arabian Gulf enabled it to play an active trading role in linking the maritime lines on one hand, and facilitating transportation of goods between the East and the West on the other. In addition, Premadasa said, the Dubai International Airport, where the world connects, is considered the Middle-East's premier and busiest airport. It registered an all time high in passenger throughput in 2000, reaching 12.3 million passengers compared to 10.7 million in 1999. The volume and value of Dubai's annual imports are other important indicators of commercial activities in the UAE since Dubai imports more than two thirds of the UAE requirements of all kinds of consumable, intermediate and capital goods in addition to a part of the requirements of the Gulf Co-operation Council Countries. The commodity imports of Dubai have registered a growth in recent years. Dubai occupies first place among other Emirates in terms of its share of imports, which equalled 73.8 per cent of the value of the UAE's total imports in 2000. Due to all these facts, the establishment of a trade centre was the first step initiated by the Premadasa Group to display and promote products from Sri Lanka. The main objective of this centre was to assist Sri Lankan exporters to promote their products not only to Dubai, but also to all the Gulf and Arab countries as well as Europe, America and African states. The CCC entered into an agreement with the Premadasa Group to promote the Sri Lanka Trade Centre last December. The meeting at the Chamber was followed by a presentation to create awareness of this concept where a large number of manufacturers and exporters covering a wide range of product sectors were present. Mr Jude Rubera, Export Manager of Ceylon Biscuits Limited emphasised to the participants, the main benefits the company anticipated by promoting their products through the Sri Lanka Trade Centre. He further stated that Ceylon Biscuits has a very positive approach towards the success of this project and invited the participants to make use of this facility to further strengthen their exports from Sri Lanka, thereby creating an identity of Sri Lankan products in Dubai. As a special incentive, companies registered to display their products will be given an opportunity to participate at the Dubai Shopping Festival scheduled to be held in March with free floor space and cost of accommodation. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
