The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Chile, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized a ‘Sri Lanka pavilion’ with the participation of twelve (12) Sri Lankan Tea exporting companies namely; Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Millennium Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Shan Teas (Pvt) Ltd, TDK Tea Solutions, Heritage Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Expoteas Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Maltras International (Pvt) Ltd, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Nature Ceylon, Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon and Tea Talk (Pvt) Ltd at the Espacio Food Service EXPO, which is one of the largest beverage exhibitions held in South America, from 26 to 28 September 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
Parallel to the exhibition, a press conference attended by over 35 journalists of electronic, print and social media platforms and a cocktail reception with the participation of over 175 guests representing Chilean tea importers, members of the Chilean Chambers of Commerce and other business entities, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile and other government officials and journalists were held in the evening of 27 September 2023 to promote Ceylon Tea in the Chilean market.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil Sumith Dassanayake, addressing the press conference and the reception, highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to develop the country as a maritime and investment hub and also to modernize its economy with a view to having a highly competitive green and digital economy. Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake also stated that Sri Lanka has already initiated discussions with many countries to expeditiously conclude bilateral trade agreements and also to join regional comprehensive economic and technological partnership arrangements to gain wider access to Sri Lankan products and services to new markets, especially to emerging markets.
Referring to Sri Lanka’s lucrative tourism industry, ambassador informed that Sri Lanka is a famous destination amongst international tourists as the island is the best place to visit by tourists with diverse interests. Ambassador Dassanayake also encouraged foreign direct investments from Chile and other South American countries to newly established industrial zones in Sri Lanka, especially to southern Hambanthota Port area, Colombo Port City and tea plantations. He further highlighted that Sri Lanka being the first country in South Asia that liberalized the economy in 1978, country has the knowledge and expertise to cater to the requirements of foreign investors and also that legal guarantees for foreign investments are ensured by Sri Lankan laws.
Addressing the events, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Niraj de Mel elaborated on the uniqueness of Ceylon Tea and the reputation it holds for its taste, aroma, purity and health benefits. The chairman requested the Chileans to consume more Ceylon Tea and encouraged the importers and buyers to purchase more Ceylon Tea and experience its benefits. He also ensured that Sri Lankan tea exporters under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Tea Board will continuously supply high quality Ceylon Tea to the Chilean market.
Responding to questions raised by the journalists, Chairman De Mel explained the measures undertaken by the Sri Lankan tea manufacturers to maintain high quality and how the quality and taste is affected by the geographic and climatic conditions in Sri Lanka to produce best quality tea.
Some of Sri Lankan exhibitors conducted tea tasting sessions at their stalls to showcase the premium quality and different fusions of Ceylon Tea.
In appreciation of prominent Ceylon Tea importers of Chile, they were awarded plaques for their contribution to promoting Ceylon Tea in Chilean Market by the Ambassador and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Sri Lankan Tea exporters participated in the exhibition were able to establish a large number of business contacts and also secured satisfactory orders to export Ceylon Tea to the Chilean Market.
Deputy Director of the Ceylon Tea Board Danushka Karunathilake and First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil Chathurika Perera were associated with the promotional event.
