“Top draw for Reflection!” – Rishad

The biggest trade, tourism and investment exposition in history continues to draw increasing numbers of participants-including one from Canada as of 30 October. “As of now 660 Lankan and international exhibitors have confirmed for ‘Reflection of Sri Lanka’ event. Also more than 800 expected buyers we have now” said an enthusiastic Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on 30October in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing his top officials at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on 30 October acknowledging the updates on ‘Reflection of Sri Lanka’.

Previously on 22 October Sri Lanka announced “Reflection of Sri Lanka” at the Ministry of Mass Media and Information to a packed presser with the presence of Minister Bathiudeen, Susantha Punchinilame (Deputy Minister of Economic Development), and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena  (Minister of Investment Promotion).

“Reflection event is expected to take Sri Lanka closer to the committed vision of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa” Minister Bathiudeen added.  This vision is enunciated in the Mahinda Chintana vision for the future, of making Sri Lanka the “Wonder of Asia”-and accordingly, realisation of the export goal of $ 20 Bn by 2020.

“Reflection of Sri Lanka’ will showcase Sri Lanka’s trade, tourism and investment potential to the astute  global visitors who will be in the country for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) session to be held from 13 to 17 November. The event, co-organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the EDB functioning under it, is joined by Sri Lanka Tourism, and the Board of Investment will be held at the scenic  Jana Kala Kendraya, Battaramulla. Reflection of Sri Lanka is coming in November-and this historic Sri Lanka brand push targets no less than the movers and shakers; the international decision & policy makers as well as investment influencers in these arenas. The strategic thinking behind “Reflection of Sri Lanka” is to leverage the opportunities provided by CHOGM as a platform to illustrate Sri Lanka’s capacity to easily integrate with global value chains. ‘Reflection’ will also highlight the country’s logistic capabilities, high knowledge base, and its dedication to international compliance standards encasing trade, tourism and investment opportunities in them.

The first aspect focused by Reflection is Sri Lanka’s international trade and exports. According to EDB, which is working round the clock to make ‘Reflection’ a success, already 579 local exhibitors in SME, tourism, trade & investment have come forward to enlist for Reflection’strade exposition. The 579 consists of 355 exporters, and 200 SME exhibitors and 24 local machinery exhibitors. More importantly, 81 Foreign companies as machinery and hi-tech equipment exhibitors from such key hotspot markets as China (42), India (21), Germany (4), Pakistan (4), Japan (3), Korea (2), Canada (1), Thailand, Thailand, UK, Dubai have enlisted for Reflection as of today 30 October.

Also, more than 800 expected / prospective buyers (including South Africa, and Iran as of 30 October) have come forward to enlist for Reflection of Sri Lanka. Buyer delegations from South Africa, China, India, and Iran will also be visiting the exhibition.  B2B meetings and factory visits will be facilitated at the exhibition ground at the EDB booth.

The international participants have enlisted through online registration and through the Sri Lankan missions in their respective countries.

Reflection will also showcase an EDB organised pavilion showcasing the product capacity of 200 regional entrepreneurs, highlighting the strength of Sri Lanka’s regional basket. Arrangements have also been made for 50 SMEs to attend Commonwealth Business Forum held in parallel to the CHOGM.