The Sri Lanka visiting delegation to Dubai for signing of Official Participation Contract of Expo 2020 Dubai has met with Mr. Kamal Vachani, Group Director of Al Maya Group, a main Super Market Chain in United Arab Emirates. The Sri Lanka delegation for the meeting was led by Ms. Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Export Development Board. Mr. Chaitha Yattogoda, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai was also present for the meeting together with other private and public sector delegates.
Al Maya Group was established in 1982 and headquartered in the UAE, the Al Maya Group has its regional presence across Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar over the past two decades. According to Mr. Vachani, FMCG Distribution of Food and Non-Food products is their core business and they have over 90 retail stores in the UAE & GCC including Supermarkets. Al Maya also has stores in India and the United Kingdom. The Group employs more than 5,000 employees.
Mr. Vachani also mentioned that there are Sri Lankan food products at their Supermarkets however they are keen to increase the presence of Sri Lankan products in their stores.
During the meeting, Ms. Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive of EDB mentioned that Sri Lanka would be happy to further develop the trade relationship with Al Maya Group which is a very important partner for Sri Lanka. Accordingly, a delegation from Al Maya will visit Sri Lanka to diversify the product portfolio and the EDB will make arrangements to organize a business promotion program for Al Maya for selected product sectors.
She further added that under the National Export Strategy, Sri Lanka is focusing on expanding exports in Spices & Concentrates and Food & Beverages which are directly connected to the business of Al Maya.
Ms. Malwatte further briefed that the Sri Lanka Delegation comprise of Private and Public sector delegates and presence of National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is a reflection of Sri Lanka’s keen interest to work with Al Maya.
