Sri Lanka Expo 2012 concludes successfully
by Gamini WARUSHAMANA
The Sri Lanka Expo 2012 was successful and the response from buyers
from all over the world was positive, exporters said.
They said that the event boosted Sri Lanka's business image and they
could secure new contracts and link with new markets. The event was
inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Gem and jewellery, tea, rubber, leather products, porcelain, apparel
exporters and SME sector exporters said that the response from buyers
was positive.
M.H.M. Ithishan of Gem Paradise said that there were many inquiries
and a large number of people visited his stall. We developed new
contacts with potential buyers and our regular customers too visited us
and this was an important occasion where exporters in the industry were
present, he said. Gem Paradise export s their products to the USA,
Europe and Hong Kong markets and the company is looking for new buyers
from non traditional markets.
Zam Refai of Zam Gems too said the response was encouraging. "We met
new buyers and finalised contracts with Chinese and Hong Kong buyers.
On the very first day we did some business. Negotiations are going on
with two customers from India and Canada," he said. At present Zam Gems
exports its products to China, Malaysia, USA, Europe, Singapore and
Thailand.
Dilshan De Silva of Crystal Martin International, an apparel
manufacturer said that his company is looking for new markets.
"Today all our exports go to Europe and we expect buyers from the USA
and non traditional markets such as India.
Due to duty free access to the Indian market we have potential to
export to the India.
There were many inquiries but no business was concluded and except
for a positive response negotiations were continuing," he said. However,
this is an excellent opportunity we got to display our products with
leading manufacturers and exporters in the country.
The EDB had done a great job and we were able to promote Sri Lanka,"
he said.
Marketing Manager of Penguin and EMJAY Apparel, G. Dimitry said that
the Company secured important business links with buyers from new
markets.
We met 20-25 potential customers and we have scheduled negotiations
with them. At present we export to the US and Europe and we met
potential buyers from countries in the Middle East", he said.
Diamond Cutters Limited is a specialised diamond cutting and
polishing company providing value added service to diamond exporters.
Grading manager of the company, Azmi Mohomad said that four Namibian
customers and two Indian and Zimbabwean customers who made inquiries
will continue negotiations.
We are positive and this was a great opportunity to showcase our
excellence in this industry to the world", he said. "We are specialised
in Princess Cut, Baguette Cut and Precision Cut and we provide services
to diamond suppliers. Our products mainly go to leading watch and
jewellery manufacturers in the world.
Equipped with the latest technology, over 850 Sri Lankan diamond
cutters are working with us. This is a good opportunity to display the
skills of Sri Lankan workers," Azmi said.
Chief Designer of DSI Footwear, Indika Jayaweera said that buyers
from Korea, Singapore, India, China, Malaysia, Maldives, Japan, the UK
and Hong Kong made inquiries and the company is positive about future
negotiations with them.
General Manager of MAS Holdings, Surein Wijerathne said that the
company is looking for new customers and this was a good opportunity to
meet buyers from over 60 countries. He said that the response was
positive. Assistant Manager of Dankotuwa Porcelain, Ishani
Samarawickrama said that inquiries were made by new customers from the
UK, the USA, Germany and Dubai. Some tea buyers are keen to purchase
porcelain products, she said.
The Nelna Mango stall attracted a large number of potential buyers
from the Middle East .
A spokesman for the company said that they will finalise some
important deals soon. Joel Weinberger, a buyer from Star-K Kosher
Certification, USA said that the event was a good opportunity to meet
leading Sri Lankan manufacturers whose products his company was looking
for. "We are a food products supplier and there is potential here to buy
dessicated coconut, tea and spices", he said. The company has a buying
office in India and exports to the USA and Israel.
CEO of Taewon International Dylan Kim is a South Korean buyer and he
was looking for chemical, natural rubber, apparel and sportsware
accessories. "There are several potential producers who meet the quality
we seek," he said.
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