Sri Lankan trade delegation forges strong business links with Australia
Daily FT: The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne (SLCG) and the Sri Lanka-Australia Chamber of Commerce (SLACC), successfully organised a trade delegation to Melbourne, Australia, from 2 to 6 September.
The delegation comprised 17 distinguished Sri Lankan companies, each selected through an interview process for their excellence in the food industry. These companies represented a diverse array of specialties, including Ceylon Tea, spices, processed food, coconut-based products, and food packaging. The participating companies were Bespice Ltd., Black Tea Exports Ltd., CAP Organic Ltd., Ceylbee International Ltd., Ceylon Beverage Can Ltd., Derana Marketing Services Ltd., Enrich Tea & Food Exports Ltd., Finch Foods Ltd. and Freelan Enterprises Ltd., Haritha Ceylon Ltd., Hero Nature Products Ltd., Lihini Nature Products Ltd., Maharaja Foods Ltd., Manchiee De Coco Products, Sena Mills Refineries Exports Ltd., Unistar International Ltd. and Wewelwala Mills Ltd. These companies were chosen for their innovation, quality, and potential to make a significant impact in the Australian market.
This mission was a follow-up to the Aboriginal Economic Development Group’s visit to Sri Lanka in September 2023, which laid the groundwork for expanding trade between the two nations. As a key event, the delegation underscored Sri Lanka’s potential in key export areas such as Ceylon Tea, spices, processed food, coconut-based products, and food packaging.
Delegates were privileged to attend the Fine Food Australia 2024, the largest trade event in Australia for the food, packaging and hospitality industry. This exhibition, known for showcasing cutting-edge products and top suppliers, offered the Sri Lankan participants an unparalleled opportunity to meet with international partners, secure valuable deals, and explore trends that could be incorporated into Sri Lanka’s food export industry. The full-day event allowed Sri Lankan companies to network and gain exposure to the competitive Australian market.
The Sri Lankan delegation participated in Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings organised by the SLCG and SLACC during the visit. SLCG has invited Sri Lanka Business Council in Melbourne for business meetings to partner with the Sri Lankan delegates. The delegation continued with another round of B2B meetings with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce – Melbourne with the participation of members of other chambers such as Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce and Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia. These meetings helped establish direct connections with Australian buyers and distributors, further advancing Sri Lanka’s trade interests in Australia.
To gain insights into the retail supply chain in Australia, the delegates visited a distribution centre enabling them to explore how their products could integrate into local markets. The inclusion of retailers and distribution channels was key to understanding the logistical processes needed to secure a foothold in Australian markets.
The delegates met Nornie Bero, CEO and Founder of Mabu Mabu, an indigenous Australian food business renowned for its commitment to showcasing native ingredients and sustainable food practices.
Delegates attended an information sharing session on Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) organised by the SLCG with the participation of the officials of Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This session was crucial in helping the Sri Lankan exporters understand the strict regulations governing the import of goods into Australia, particularly in the food sector.
This trade mission facilitated by the EDB, opened numerous doors for Sri Lankan exporters in the Australian market. The delegation gained critical insights into biosecurity and market requirements, while also forming invaluable connections with potential buyers and partners. A key aspect of the mission was the focus on increasing cultural knowledge and capability, which is essential for long-term success in international markets.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka is focused on further strengthening and expanding trade ties globally in a bid to expand Sri Lanka’s exports sector. Identified as one of the key revenue generators to the country, local export authorities are engaged in many porgrammes to further expand foreign market opportunities for the local exports sector. Apart from conducting promotional campaigns in overseas markets, local exports authorities have also called on local exporters to focus on diversifying and expanding the existing export product portfolio. Also, the many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries has helped boost local exports in the global market. This support would be further expanded with local authorities looking at further strengthening and expanding the existing trade ties while exploring new ones. The response received by the Sri Lankan trade delegation in Australia is indicative of the growing business potential in Sri Lanka’s exports sector. Given the growth and business potential in Sri Lanka’s exports sector, foreign businesses/investors could explore the opportunities while also looking at partnerships with local businesses targeting expansion.