The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Male, Maldives and Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council (SLMBC) will be organizing a group of 19 exporters including 15 SME entrepreneurs to participate at “Hotel Asia Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge 2024”. It is the Maldives’ biggest and best annual food and hospitality event, which brings together all those who are involved in the tourism sector in one location. The event will be held from 13th to 15thMay 2023 at Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall, Male, Maldives.
Maldives is a potential market for many of Sri Lankan products due to their high dependency on imports to meet most of their requirements. Maldives imports various products to meet its domestic needs, such as refined petroleum, food preparations, rice, wheat, and machinery. In 2023, goods worth around US $ 3.47 billion have been imported to the Maldives from Oman, China, India, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, USA, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and France. This value is more than doubled compared to the import value a decade ago. About 95% of the Maldives' food consumption, including tourism sector consumption is met by imports and a substantial amount of food and beverages, accounting to around US $ 60 million had been imported, primarily from India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE in year 2023.
Maldives is the 23rdexport destination for Sri Lanka. Total export value from Sri Lanka to Maldives was US $ 112.54 Mn in 2023 and total imports from Maldives to Sri Lanka for the same period were US $ 2.99 Mn. Sri Lanka’s main export products to Maldives in 2023 were insulated wires and cables, sugars, sugar confectionery & bakery products, cereals and products, meat, preparations of meat/fish & dairy produce, fruits and vegetables. Also, potential products from Sri Lanka to Maldives are wheat flour, fresh or chilled vegetables, prepared or preserved nuts & other seeds, black tea, fresh fruits, electric conductors, fresh or dried pineapples, sweet biscuits, bars & rods of iron or non-alloy steel.
The exhibition attracts visitors from resorts, hotels, guest houses, safari boat operators and owners, restaurants and cafeterias to explore the products and services offered by international and local exhibitors. The event will create a platform for Sri Lankan exporters to gain insights into the latest trends, innovations, and developments in the industry, as well as take advantage of the networking opportunities. It covers a wide range of products and services, including food and beverage, catering equipment & services, furniture, furnishing & tableware, and health leisure & equipment, construction of water & wastewater systems, all kinds of cleaning chemicals for hotels & resorts, and design, supply & installation of ventilation system etc.
The expected benefits from the programme are to expand market share for value-added products and identify opportunities for new products and services, find new buyers and strengthen existing contacts, provide opportunities for SME companies to enter the Maldives market, promote Sri Lankan products’ brands and secure more opportunities from Maldives buyers.
In general, the programme create a platform for discussion and exchange of knowledge between the participants, Maldivian professionals of the industry and Trade Associations. Sri Lankan companies will also get the opportunity to interact with exhibitors participating from various countries at the exhibition.
A networking event will also be organized by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Maldives for the Sri Lankan delegation giving opportunities for further networking.
