Sri Lankan Embassy in Bahrain organizes “Sri Lanka Fest” at Lulu Hypermarket, Bahrain
Daily FT: The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in coordination with Lulu Hypermarket, organized a week-long Sri Lanka Produce and Food Mart, from 7 to 13 September, titled “Sri Lanka Fest”, with a view to promote trade, tourism and culture of Sri Lanka, as well as to augment the image of the country, amongst the nationals of Bahrain and foreign expatriates, residing in the Kingdom. The event is expected to attract over 2000 visitors and shoppers, including nationals of Sri Lanka domiciled in Bahrain.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Bahrain H.M.G.R.R.K. Wijeratne Mendis inaugurated the colorful event on 7 September, along with Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular and Administrative Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Mohamed Ali Bahzad, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Acting Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Atef Al Khaja, Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Chief Executive Officer Nibras Mohammed Talib and Lulu Group Regional Director Mohamed Kaleem. The Ambassadors of China, Nepal, the Philippines to Bahrain and the members of the Diplomatic Community in Bahrain graced the opening ceremony.
This year’s event had a number of new products and goods displayed and marketed such as cinnamon, seafood including tuna, kingfish and prawns, pepper, authentic spices, various kinds of biscuits and confectionary products. A variety of healthy organic coconut products such as coconut cream, coconut milk and cold-pressed coconut oil were available for attractive prices. Ceylon Tea and tea-based herbal infusions with turmeric, chamomile and other herbs from well-known plantations around Sri Lanka, were also marketed.
Other attractions at the Sri Lanka Fest included the stalls put-up by Sri Lankan origin entrepreneurs filled with kithul jaggery, confectionary items, spices, palmyra products, handicrafts, handloom, batik products as well as various eco-friendly products. A stall dedicated to promoting Ceylon Tea organized by Dilmah provided the visitors with the unique opportunity for tea tasting, while attractive Sri Lanka Tourism packages were offered by Akbar Holidays. Large television screens displayed videos on touristic attractions of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Tea, export products of Sri Lanka and the many investment opportunities such as Colombo Port City project.
Using the event as a platform, the Sri Lanka Embassy with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment conducted a stall to promote foreign employment and encourage skills recognition through NVQ certification. The aim of the Embassy’s initiative to collect data and information regarding skills and qualifications of Sri Lankan migrant workers and expatriates in Bahrain, enabling them to register for the “Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)” being organized by the Embassy.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, colorful dance items were performed by members of the Sri Lanka Club Dancing Group and “Thiranga Kala – Bahrain”, which drew wide applause and appreciation from the audience.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities are currently engaged in promoting local products in foreign markets as part of the country’s export promotion programmed. Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export sectors are two key revenue generators of the country that have withstood many internal and external challenges during the past few years. The many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country have also helped boost Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export sectors. With the country’s expanding economic activities and the government of Sri Lanka looking at further increasing the revenue generated by Sri Lanka’s exports sector through product diversification and promotions, there’s an overall expansion in the business/investment opportunities in the country’s manufacturing and export sectors. The businesses engaged in the manufacturing and export sectors have recorded growth and profits despite experiencing challenges during the past few years. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore the growing opportunities in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20230922/Z_3 |