The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is implementing a programme to develop 2000 entrepreneurs to become exporters by 2020 at regional level with the objective of encouraging domestic enterprises to invest in export industries to achieve the overall export target US $ 28 billion in 2022.
The EDB in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila, Philippines organized a trade promotion programme from 16th to 22nd October 2019 which consisted of a Training/ Exposure visit/ B2B meetings and product display at Manila FAME 2019 exhibition for a group of 10 export potential SME manufacturers selected under 2000 New Exporters Development Programme of EDB engaged in the Giftware & Lifestyle Sector.
Manila FAME 2019
Under the Economic Diplomacy programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the support of Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila, EDB organized Sri Lanka’s participation at Manila FAME 2019. Manila FAME is the Design and Lifestyle Event and Asia’s premier trade platform for export and design, providing opportunities for small and medium scale entrepreneurs to showcase their products in the world market.
The Sri Lankan pavilion at the event was inaugurated on 17th October by the Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippines; Executive Director, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Philippines and other distinguished officers with the ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp in the presence of Mrs. Shobini Gunasekera, H. E. the Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Manila, Mrs. Thanuja Dissanayake, Minister / Head of Chancery, & other officials of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila. Representatives of the National Design Centre, participating Sri Lankan companies along with the EDB official were also present.
Design Tour
During the visit, the SME entrepreneurs had the opportunity to participate at the Design Tourorganized by the Manila FAME organizers. The Design Tour was organized in order to offer a unique, immersive experience where participants engaged with the Filipino design and creative scene. The participants interacted with Filipino products, crafts and talent in a way that was not offered by exhibits and showed and evoked an interest in partnerships and collaborations between the Filipino designers and makers. The delegation visited some Design Center’s valued partner hubs, from different industries based in Marikina and Quezon City. Design Center showed how its services center on working closely with and offering support to its partners.
Networking Session and B2B Meetings
At the networking session, the Sri Lankan delegation got an opportunity to make successful trade contacts with the buyer delegations from USA, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia etc. Most of the SMEs were able to establish links with several buyers for their products. Further they had B2B meetings with Filipino exhibitors and super market chains namely, Kultura Filipino, Balikbayan Handicrafts, Tesoros etc. to learn the background and how to market their products to the foreign markets and retail stores. The Sri Lankan participants were also able to explore the current market, price ranges, giftware & lifestyle products available in the market, consumer choices etc.
Training at the Design Centre of the Philippines
The One day training at the Design Centre of the Philippines focused on the development, promotion and enhancement of design for giftware and lifestyle products including intellectual property briefing.
A reception was hosted by H. E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Philippines for the Sri Lanka delegation giving opportunities for further networking. The delegation of SMEs participated at the event appreciated the services provided by the EDB and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Philippines in organizing and facilitating the successful completion of the visit to Philippines, on 20th October 2019.
This programme helped 10 export potential SME companies namely, Eco Envi Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Rajanima Craft (Pvt) Ltd., Greens Flower Design (Pvt) Ltd., Xylo Industries ( Pvt) Ltd., Kalutara Ceramic, Hasitha Handicraft Industries, Pranaya, SAP Kultura, Kithula, and Jaffna Palmyrah Handicrafts engaged in giftware and lifestyle product sector to enter into the export markets selected under 2000 New Exporters Development Programme. Some of them have already executed sample orders for wine bottle racks, ceramic oil burners, coasters & placemats, elephants made out of wood, coconut bowls, nature dry flowers and flower decorations etc. to the USA, Istanbul, Philippines, and Sweden to the value of USD 16,155/-.
