Food and Trade Fair in Seychelles aimed at boosting Lankan exports
The opening of direct flights between Sri Lanka and Seychelles has boosted trade between the two countries and paved the way for Sri Lankan businesses to export goods and services to Seychelles.
The operation of Mihin Lanka airline to Seychelles has provided an opportunity for Sri Lankan exporters to reach the African market while expanding their supplies to a region in need of regular supplies. Trade and bilateral ties too had improved with the launch of direct flights to Mahe in Seychelles, said the Managing Director of CDC Events, Imran Hassan at a media briefing held in Colombo regarding the upcoming Food and Hotel International Trade Fair to be held in Seychelles from 23-25 October.
He said the Food and Trade Fair will be an ideal platform for all exporters from Sri Lanka to find new business avenues in the African region. Direct flights had opened the door to free market access in East and South Africa as well. A large number of companies from Sri Lanka, South Africa, Singapore and Dubai are expected to participate at the upcoming Food and Hotel trade fair. The main objective of the fair is to facilitate trade between the exhibitors from all over the world offering their products and services needed by the resort and the hotel industry in Seychelles. "Many kitchens of hotels in Seychelles are full of Sri Lankan Chefs and cooks that we can be proud of," said Mr. Hassan.
He said the success of the Food and Hotel Expo last year made them decide to participate this year as well. The government of Seychelles has recognised the Food and Hotel International Trade Fair to be the largest international trade fair in the country where a number of countries including South Africa, India, Singapore, Thailand, UAE ,Malaysia and European countries are expected to participate this year.
He said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Small Enterprise Promotion Agency of Seychelles, Penny Belmount has come all the way from Seychelles to participate at the media briefing. The Food and Hotel Trade Fair is organised by CDC events in association with the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency of Seychelles along with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka and the Chef Guild of Lanka. The event has had the approval of the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Seychelles Investment Board and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Seychelles known as the gateway to East Africa has a population of 90,000 with good demand for furniture, garments, and swimming pools.
Ms. Belmont said there are remarkable similarities between Seychelles and Sri Lanka. She appealed to the business community and others to visit Seychelles as there are tremendous business opportunities available in Seychelles. "There are around 300,000 tourist who visit the Seychelles annually," she said.CEO/Secretary General of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka Shiham Marikar said the NCE will be supporting the Food and Hotel Seychelles Exhibition by making necessary arrangements to organise a pavilion for members to promote their valued products and services.