Business
EU-based high-profile trade fair organiser explores business opportunities in Sri Lanka
By Sanath Nanayakkare
High ranking representatives from Koelnmesse India, a leading international trade fair and exhibition centre based in Cologne, Germany, visited Sri Lanka from 8th May to 10th May 2024. Led by Milind Dixit, Managing Director of Koelnmesse India, the delegation met with representatives of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) to explore potential opportunities across various sectors in the country.
The purpose of their visit was to delve into potential partnerships and collaborations in key sectors of Sri Lanka’s economy, including food & beverage, agriculture, horticulture, rubber industry, and bakery industry.
During their visit, AHK Sri Lanka facilitated several meetings with Sri Lankan agencies, associations and stakeholders, including Export Development Board, Industrial Development Board, Coconut Development Authority, Food Processors Association to discuss potential synergies and opportunities. Additionally, AHK Sri Lanka engaged with exhibition venue operators to explore the feasibility of organising Koelnmesse trade fairs in Sri Lanka.
Moreover, an exclusive cocktail event was organised on the 9th of May 2024, which brought together key players from the industries in Sri Lanka, providing a platform for networking and idea exchange.
Dixit remarked, “Our visit to Sri Lanka has been incredibly insightful, thanks to the collaboration with AHK Sri Lanka. Together, we have explored the vast potential of the food & beverage industry and other key sectors in the country. AHK Sri Lanka’s efforts in facilitating meetings and fostering partnerships have been instrumental in our mission to capitalise on business opportunities in Sri Lanka. We look forward to contributing to the growth and development of industries in the country.”
Koelnmesse, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is globally renowned for hosting around 80 trade fairs and over 2,000 conferences annually, solidifying its position as one of the largest trade fair organisers in the European Union. Some of the notable trade fairs hosted by Koelnmesse include Anuga for the food and agriculture industry, Anuga FoodTec for agricultural technologies, Spoga+Gafa for the gardening and horticulture industry, ISM for confectioneries, and Tire Cologne for the tyre industry.
Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka, added, “Our collaboration with Koelnmesse has been immensely fruitful, enabling us to delve into the diverse opportunities present in Sri Lanka’s food & beverage industry and other key sectors. Through facilitating meetings and fostering partnerships, AHK Sri Lanka is proud to have played a pivotal role in enhancing business prospects and promoting growth. We remain committed to further strengthening our partnership with Koelnmesse and contributing to the development of businesses in Sri Lanka and Germany.”
Since 2019, AHK Sri Lanka has been the exclusive representative of Koelnmesse in Sri Lanka and has organised delegations to various leading trade fairs hosted by Koelnmesse, including Tire, Spoga+Gafa, and Anuga FoodTec, showcasing the strong partnership between the two entities.
This visit highlights the commitment of both Koelnmesse and AHK Sri Lanka to explore and capitalise on business opportunities in Sri Lanka, fostering closer ties and facilitating growth and development across multiple sectors.
AHK Sri Lanka is part of the German Chamber Network supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). With 150 locations in 93 countries around the world, the members of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) offer their experience, connections, and services to German and companies of the respective partner countries. AHKs are located in all countries of particular importance to German companies and are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
