The Sri Lankan food and beverages sector has reported success from its recent participation in one of the worldโs leading food eventsโGulfood 2014. โI praise your efforts to promote Sri Lankan food to this Gulf marketโ said Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) on 27 February in Dubai.
Minister Bathiudeen, who was visiting theย Gulf Food Fair 2014 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubaiย was speaking to some of the Lankan stallholders atย Gulf Food Fair 2014 on 27 February.ย Sri Lankan food and beverages sector was taking part in the series for the seventh run, starting for the first time in 2008.
The Gulf Food Fair is a leading global food industry event where top firms trading in food products, services and equipment conducted face to face business. The Fair was held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai from 23-27 and more than 77000 attendees from 152 countries were reported. Top officials from 25 countries were participating in the event in which Sri Lanka was one (others being Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Korea, Lebanon, EDB officials led the more than 50 member strong Lankan delegation which consisted of representatives from such firms as Maliban, Ceylon Biscuits, Adamjee Lukmanjee, Akbar Bros, Mabroc Teas, HVA Foods, Wichy Plantations, Finlays, Ceylon Tea Marketing, Ceylon Cold Stores, Ceylon Fresh Teas, BPL Teas, and Adamexpo, among others.
Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce), who visited Sri Lankaโs stalls in Dubai on 27 February for an inspection, had discussions with the Lankan stallholders, inquiring about their progress at the event.Minister Bathiudeen also praised the Lankan stallholders for their efforts to promote Sri Lanka at Gulfood 2014.
The upbeat Lankan representatives in Dubai praised EDBโs initiative and informed Minister Bathiudeen that some of them have already requested for EDB to organize their presence at next yearโs Gulf Food event as well.
EDB officials said on 03 March that they are now in the process of evaluating the order values generated during this event. โLankan exports such as Ceylon Tea, coconut water, spices, coconut based products, confectionary items including biscuits, were the most in demand while such Ceylon Cold Stores PLC favourites as Ginger Beer (in the brand name of โGinger Bevโ for the Middle Eastern market), and Bitter Lemon received ready orders from Middle Eastern visitors! Indian, Turkish, Albanian, USA, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwaiti participants were among the most drawn visitor segments to Lankan products on offer. $ 1.32 Mn of the spot orders were confirmed within the first two days alone. EDB wishes to thank Dubai Consul General M Abdul Raheem and his staff for Sri Lankaโs success at this eventโ EDB officials said.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress