Sri Lanka Shines Bright At Vietnam Expo 2023: Innovative Approach For Future Collaboration
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vietnam in collaboration with Export Development Board (EDB) arranged the participation of Sri Lankan businesses at the 21st edition of Viet Nam Expo, which was held from 7th to 9th December 2023 at Sai Gon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City.
Representing Sri Lankan businesses, Micro Power Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, Eco Paints (Pvt) Ltd, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC and the two (2) SME companies viz. Dehemi Cinnamon (Pvt) Ltd, Rathna Batik participated at the Expo.
The Sri Lankan businesses received well over 100 trade inquiries and held a large number of business meetings with interested parties. They have also interacted with over 20 potential buyers of products, mainly in the areas of Electronic & Electrical products, Rubber & Rubber Based product, Antimicrobial nontoxic food grade epoxy paint, Cinnamon Products, and Batik Products.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion was ceremonially opened by Prof. A. Saj U Mendis, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam, Mrs. Shirley Marguerite Hopman-Aluwihare, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Ho Chi Minh City, Mrs. Nguyen Van Nga, Director General, Agency for Southern Affairs of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam, Mr. Vo Tan Thanh, Vice President of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industries (VCCI) and Director of VCCI Ho Chi Minh City, and Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Standing Deputy General Director, National Agency for Southern Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology by lighting the oil lamp and ribbon cutting.
The Embassy in collaboration with The Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising company (Vinexad) organized two factory visits to the Sri Lankan companies to Long Hau Industrial Park. The two factories were, a leading logistic enterprise, named SLP and a shoe manufacturing factory in the Industrial Park named RichEver, which provided insights about modern manufacturing environments and an opportunity to establish strong business linkages with those companies.
Further, the Embassy organized a network session to Sri Lankan businesses in collaboration with Business Network International (BNI), which was very successful in connecting with potential Vietnamese enterprises.
Together with the EDB and businesses, Mrs. Kishani Wickramasinghe Minister (Commercial) of the Mission coordinated Sri Lanka’s successful participation in the event.
