Sri Lankan companies take hospitality products and services to Maldives
Daily FT: Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, facilitated the participation of Sri Lankan companies at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives. The initiative created opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses to connect with buyers and potential partners, as well as engage with Government representatives in one of the region’s key tourism markets.
The participating companies represented a broad cross-section of Sri Lanka’s hospitality supply chain, including food and beverage, hotel supplies, furniture, engineering, wellness, construction materials, technology and other services. Their participation provided an opportunity to showcase Sri Lankan products and capabilities to Maldivian businesses and other industry stakeholders, while exploring opportunities in a market closely linked to Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion was officially opened by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, M. R. Hassen in the presence of SLMLBC President Sanjeewa Perera, Sports, Fitness and Recreation Deputy Minister Hussain Nihadh, High Commission of Sri Lanka in the Maldives Counsellor Thimuthu Dissanayake, EDB Deputy Director – North Western Provincial Office Manori Kulasekara and SLMLBC Immediate Past President Sudesh Mendis. The exhibition also provided a platform for Sri Lankan companies to engage directly with prospective buyers and business partners, while gaining a deeper understanding of market demand and emerging opportunities in the Maldives.
In addition to the exhibition, the SLMLBC arranged a series of meetings between the Sri Lankan business delegation and representatives of key Maldivian ministries, State institutions and public-sector organisations. These included the Economic Development, Trade and Transport Ministry; Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry; Maldives Ports Ltd; Agriculture, Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ministry; the Maldives Qualifications Authority; and Malé City Council.
The discussions focused on potential areas of commercial cooperation and enabled participating companies to gain insights into upcoming requirements, market conditions and areas where Sri Lankan expertise and products could contribute to the Maldivian economy.
SLMLBC President Sanjeewa Perera said the participation of Sri Lankan companies demonstrated the breadth of products and services that Sri Lanka can offer the Maldivian market. He noted that the Council’s objective was to extend the engagement beyond an exhibition presence by creating direct connections between businesses and identifying opportunities for sustained commercial cooperation.
Participation in Hotel Asia 2026 forms part of the SLMLBC’s continuing efforts to expand Sri Lanka–Maldives trade and connect Sri Lankan businesses with opportunities in the Maldivian market, particularly across the tourism, hospitality and related sectors.OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s expanding tourism industry and growing leisure and hospitality market are creating new business and investment opportunities for foreign businesses/investors, as the country seeks to strengthen tourism infrastructure, diversify its tourism offerings and attract higher-spending international visitors. The sector offers business/investment opportunities across hotel development and management, resorts, boutique accommodation, wellness tourism, recreational facilities, hospitality technology, food and beverage services and tourism-related infrastructure. With the Government seeking to increase tourist arrivals and position Sri Lanka as a year-round destination, demand for investment in accommodation, leisure facilities and supporting services is expected to expand. Foreign businesses/investors can also explore partnerships and joint ventures with established Sri Lankan companies to enter the market, combining international expertise, technology and capital with local market knowledge and business networks. The growing regional presence of Sri Lankan hospitality suppliers, including their participation at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives, also highlights opportunities for cross-border business expansion. Sri Lankan companies are increasingly exploring regional markets through partnerships, while foreign businesses could use similar arrangements to establish operations in Sri Lanka and access opportunities in its tourism supply chain. Potential investment areas extend beyond hotels and resorts to include restaurant operations, wellness and spa facilities, marine tourism, adventure tourism, event management, hospitality training and construction services. Sri Lanka’s established tourism infrastructure, natural attractions, skilled hospitality workforce and strategic location in the Indian Ocean provide a foundation for further industry development. As the country seeks to expand its tourism economy, foreign investors have opportunities not only to develop new hospitality ventures but also to collaborate with local businesses through joint ventures, management agreements and strategic partnerships.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261104Z_4 |