Business
10 Sri Lankan organic farming businesses showcase their export potential in Berlin
A high profile event held at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin on 8th September provided a unique platform for 10 Sri Lankan companies to showcase their organic agriculture products with export potential and connect them with potential buyers and investors in Europe.
Implemented as part of the ‘Support to Small and Medium Enterprises in the Organic Agriculture Sector’ Programme, jointly co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the ‘Flavours of Sri Lanka’ event was a collaboration between GIZ Sri Lanka, The embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
The 10 displayed Sri Lankan organic products were: Banana blossom (Sayaladu CoCo); Coconuts (Ceylon Exports & Trading); Vanilla (D&P Ceylon Expo); Cinnamon (Savour Route); Pepper (Joint Agri Products Ceylon Pvt Ltd); Jackfruit (Worga Naturals Pvt Ltd); Mango (Ellawala Horticulture Pvt Ltd); Blooming Tea (Gralgo from Ceylon Pvt Ltd); Immunity Booster Drink (Adhitya Ayurveda); and Moringa Powder (Lanka Good Market Gte Ltd). European buyers and investors were able to discover and try the products while interacting with the respective companies and building business connections. Enhancing the atmosphere at the event, fusion dishes were prepared from the products on display to the audience, thus bringing them to life.
Notable speakers at the event included the Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of South Asia of Deutsche Bundestag and Former Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture of Germany Renate Kuenast; Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany Varuni Muthukumaran; International Officer responsible for Sri Lanka from the European Commission Tomasz May; and the Head of GIZ Berlin Randa Kourieh.
Also in attendance were senior Sri Lankan government officials representing the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the Sri Lanka Standards Institute, the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board and the Department of Agriculture, as part of an International Study Tour that was funded though the ‘Support to Small and Medium Enterprises in the Organic Agriculture Sector’ Programme co-financed by the EU and BMZ.
The event highlighted the EU and GIZ work done in the field of Organic Agriculture in Sri Lanka, which included supporting over 1000 farmers and over 100 private sector companies. GIZ Sri Lanka and EU have been leveraging Sri Lanka’s organic agriculture industry, by providing technical inputs and knowledge to uplift the industry’s export potential.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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