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| Sunday, 17 August 2003 |
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High-profile convention on the 'cup that cheers' by Pelham Juriansz The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) 15th session of the Inter Governmental Group on Tea will take place in Colombo from August 18-20. To coincide with this event, the Colombo Tea Traders Association, a 109-year old industrial body, and the Sri Lanka Tea Board are organising an International Tea Convention and Exhibition, James Finlay and Company Chairman and Chairman of the Tea Convention and Exhibition Committee, R.L. Juriansz told the Sunday Observer. "This is a landmark occasion as it is the first time that Sri Lanka is hosting the Inter Governmental Conference on Tea. It is also the first time that such a large-scale convention and exhibition relating to tea and support services are being held in Sri Lanka," he stated. The exhibition will be held at the new Exhibition Wing of the BMICH from August 20 to 23. The theme 'Diversitea in Specialitea' has been selected for the convention to focus on diversification and specialisation, which give tea a competitive edge. The convention will take place at the Colombo Plaza Hotel from August 20-22. The exhibition will be open to the public on August 23rd, the final day of the exhibition. There will be a programme for students with workshops where eminent personalities in the tea industry will present an overview of the industry and highlight career opportunities in relation to areas such as export marketing, engineering and agriculture. "This is an opportunity for educational institutes to gain an insight into the tea industry and explore career opportunities in the sector. Opportunities will be provided to university students and senior students from schools throughout Sri Lanka," he said. Ceylon Tea has, over the years, been a popular brand worldwide and is perhaps one of the country's greatest assets. The conflict in the Middle East had a dramatic effect on auction prices, said Juriansz, adding that the weather also had an adverse effect on the production of tea. "Sri Lankan tea production has improved compared to the previous year and established a new all-time record of 310 million kilos, surpassing the previous record of 305.8 million kgs in 2000. The main contributor to the increase is the high grown sector, which recorded a growth of 15.8 per cent. The average price of a kilo of tea at the Colombo Tea Auction grew by 3.7 per cent year on year, increasing to Rs 149.30 from Rs 143.96. The main contributor for the increase is the low grown sector, which recorded an increase of 5.6 per cent compared to the previous year. Despite increased production and selling prices, all plantation companies had a severe setback on profitability and cash generation due to the 21 per cent increase granted from July 1, 2002," said Juriansz. "Tea is an obsession and is almost infinite in its variety, spectacular in its quality and throughout its 5000-year history, has been regaled as a medicine, a panacea for all ills. "We are living in an age that promotes coffee. In contrast, we are trying to promote tea as a health beverage. Now we have a t-Bar set up by Dilmah serving hot and iced tea," he said. "The appreciation of fine tea requires the exercise of three senses - sight, smell and taste. When savouring tea, all these senses must unite for tea has a delicate flavour, requiring the combination of aroma, taste and sight to enjoy true individuality. Appreciating fine tea begins with the eye. Each tea has a remarkably different appearance when brewed. "Some of the teas promoted nowadays are Green Tea with Japanese Flowers, China Green Tea, Prince of Handy, Earl Grey Tea, Ceylon BOP Tea, Senoha Green Tea, Darjeeling and Nuwara Eliya Tea, Vanilla Ceylon Tea, Pure Chanomila Flowers, Pure Peppermint Leaves, Rosehip with Hibiscus Flowers, Natural Ceylon Ginger Tea and Rose Congou," said Juriansz. "Ceylon tea has earned a name around the world and it is perhaps one of the country's most valuable assets. Thus, a great responsibility is cast upon all in the local industry to protect and nurture the attributes that have made Ceylon Tea famous. The end consumers of our products are the tea-drinking people of the world. They consume tea as part of a daily routine. They awake with tea, have mid-morning tea, afternoon tea, evening tea and sometimes even tea at night. Tea not only gives these consumers a gustatory and stimulatory experience, but also long-term health benefits through its anti-oxidant properties. Today consumers not only value the consistent quality of the product, but also the experience of being associated with a product that is manufactured with respect to the environment and dignity afforded to the workforce," added Juriansz. |
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