SLMBC to participate in global SMEs Trade Fair

The Sri Lanka - Malaysia Business Council (SLMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will participate in the Global SMEs Trade Fair in September 2007.

The SLMBC will take 25 promising Sri Lankan exporters to the Global SMEs Trade Fair to be held from September 6-8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to promote bi-lateral business opportunities.

The Global SMEs 2007 will be the biggest event for small and medium businesses in the ASEAN region to network and explore trade opportunities and forge smart business partnerships.

The Global SMEs 2007 will be the gateway for Sri Lankan companies and entrepreneurs to accelerate their business network and exports. The organisers are targeting over 15,000 visitors for this year's event. It is organised by The Small and Medium Enterprise International Corporation Association of Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce.

Alex Lee, Marketing and Business Development Manager (International Unit) Expomal International and Chris Tan (Executive Secretary) Small and Medium Enterprises International Cooperation Association of Malaysia briefed the participants about the exhibition at a media conference at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently.

The international market place attracted over 11, 000 visitors last year and has already attracted SMEs from Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Australia.

"This is the first time we are platforming with other countries in the same fair and this is a great opportunity for our local entrepreneurs, said Dr. Rohitha Silva, President of the Sri Lanka - Malaysia Business Council .

The Global SMEs Trade Fair will be an ideal opportunity for local SMEs to expand their businesses overseas.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Sri Lanka's High Commission in Malaysia are supporting us to make this event a success," he said. The Sri Lanka - Malaysia Business Council was formed in 1994 at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka. The Patron of the Council is Nazirah Hussain, High Commissioner for Malaysia in Sri Lanka.

The main objectives of the council are to promote trade, joint ventures, tourism and services between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Exports from Sri Lanka to Malaysia increased from Rs. 1,267 million in 2005 to Rs. 2,562 in 2006, recording an increase of 102%. Imports too recorded a 35% increase from Rs. 33,429 million to Rs. 44,992 million.