02. March 2010


 EDB EXPLORES EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES IN CENTRAL EUROPE

 

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in association with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vienna organized an Export Promotion Mission to the Central Europe covering Austria, Croatia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic from 15th to 20th February 2010. The objective of the mission was to explore market opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters in emerging Central European countries and further strengthen trade relations with this region.

Ten leading exporters from Sri Lanka namely - CAL Exports Lanka, Alucop Cables Ltd, Lanka Mount Castle, E-W Information Systems, Lanktrad International, Sindbad Ltd., Asia Teas, Selyn Exporters, SLIC Lanka and Global Sea Foods Ltd. representing some promising sectors such as Tea & Processed food, Coir based products, Garments, Caps/Hats, Soft Toys, Fishery products, Cables, Chemical Products and the IT, participated at the export promotion initiative.

The business meetings were held at the respective Chambers of Commerce/Economy in Vienna, Zagreb, Bratislava and Prague. Members of the business delegation were briefed on the current business environment and market opportunities available in the region. Sri Lankan exporters represented at the Business Forums got opportunity to meet over 40 leading business organizations at one to one meetings and introduce their export products. The contacts established during this mission would give Sri Lankan exporters further edge in networking of their business within the region in the years to come. The Sri Lankan companies participated at the programme were confident that the Central Europe, which has so far not been fully explored, posses tremendous market opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters.

 

The Business partners, who participated at the forum, now see positive and favorable climate prevailing in Sri Lanka after the end of conflict. The business mission further helped reinforcing the positive image on Sri Lanka’s business environment in the region. Members of the Chambers have also shown keen interest to visit Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission to look into the country’s product sourcing capacity.

 

Ambassador of Sri Lanka Mr. M.M. Jaffeer, who addressed the business forum, called on participants to take advantage of the positive business and investment climate created after the end of conflict. He expressed confident that the business mission would help increase the bilateral trade and economic interaction with Croatia, Austria, Slovakia and Czech. Mr. Karl Hartleb, Deputy Director General, Foreign Trade Relations of the Federal Chamber of Commerce, Austria, Ms. Dunja Konjevod, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Mr. Igor Junas, President of the Bratislava Regional Chamber, SCCI, Mr. Josef Cilek, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Indu Alahapperuma from Sri Lanka Export Development Board also participated at respective business forums.