Business
Sri Lanka to target 322 new products for export in 2024 with focus on spices
By Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka will target at least 322 new products at export level in 2024. “That would be our target in the ‘One Village One Product’ project, said State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama.
Speaking at a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)- organized conference titled, “Spice Horizons: Tracing the Legacy of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) on Ceylon Cinnamon and the Future of Other PGI Products for Agricultural Export Development” on Tuesday at the Water’s Edge, he thanked the European Union, UNIDO and the United Nations for support in investment promotion and overall assistance to Sri Lanka.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s spices and the sector’s potential for export opportunities and trade development, Amunugama said that due to the inherent quality of Ceylon spices, the sector has the potential to enhance value addition, meet the demands of international high end markets and promote technology adaptation.
The event, organized with support from the Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), will build on the success of Sri Lanka’s first ‘Protected Geographical Indications for Ceylon Cinnamon’ project (PGI) with the European Union (EU), he noted.
At the event, UNIDO also presented a new project proposal to expand the global reach of Ceylon spices and other agricultural commodities with PGI potential, such as pepper, coffee, pineapple, coconut and cashew, where the PGI Ceylon Cinnamon model can be replicated and scaled up for quality-led export development.
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, Research Economist Dilani Hirimuthugodage, a panelist at the discussion, speaking to The Island Financial Review: “I think it is important for them to also focus on strategies to attract youth to agriculture mainly to the spice sector by giving them proper training and identity (make their self-esteem), strategies to strengthen the spice value chain with good linkage among each stage mainly to avoid asymmetry in information, encourage new technology by introducing smart agriculture, promote and market Ceylon GI, etc. are some of them.”
“The EU has worked with UNIDO on several projects in Sri Lanka supporting the agri-food sector. We are happy to see tangible outcomes such as the Ceylon Cinnamon PGI materialize, stated Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “The proposed project will build on the success of the EU-funded ‘Best Standardized Practices for the Agri-by Food Sector Development’ (BESPA-FOOD) project, implemented by UNIDO jointly with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).”
The proposed project will draw on UNIDO’s 2023 ‘Value Chain Analysis on Pepper, Clove, and Nutmeg in Sri Lanka’ also funded by the STDF, which identifies the gaps in food safety and quality, starting from farmgate to distribution on channels and right up to the retail market. The analysis outlines the necessary conditions to access international markets and gain a competitive advantage in international trade.
Dr. Jairo Villamil-Diaz, International Senior Technical Specialist, UNIDO said, “UNIDO worked closely with the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA), the Export Development Board (EDB), the Spice Council (TSC), the Spices and Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA), and other key public and private stakeholders, tirelessly striving to secure the PGI registration for Ceylon Cinnamon. We also provided similar support for Ceylon Tea. Now, Sri Lanka can leverage these learnings to ensure that other spices, like pepper, cloves, nutmeg/mace, and coffee become integral parts of the global food supply chain.”
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Ministry of Industries, and State Ministry of Investment Promotion, the proposed project will guide Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector towards quality-led export growth, supporting upstream actors in securing quality-based price differentials, improving price predictability and expanding access to premium markets. Additionally, UNIDO will continue to support the development of Ceylon Cinnamon, providing strategic guidance to further enhance the sector’s global standing, including in securing PGI registration in other high-end markets.
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
