PRESS COMMUNIQUE -” MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE, SRI LANKA-” OCTOBER 31, 2013

• Int-â„¢l scale Reflection of Sri Lanka is in parallel to CHOGM
• One firm from Canada for Reflection ‚ 
• Biggest exhibitor volumes are from China, India
• More than 800 expected buyers as of now
• Reflection also highlights Lanka-â„¢s logistics, knowledge, and int-â„¢l compliance

The biggest trade, tourism and investment exposition in history is drawing increasing numbers of participants-including one from Canada as of 30 October. -As of now 660 Lankan and international exhibitors have confirmed for -ËœReflection of Sri Lanka-â„¢ event. Also more than 800 expected buyers we have now- said an enthusiastic Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on 30 October in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing his top officials at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on 30 October acknowledging the updates on -ËœReflection of Sri Lanka-â„¢.

Previously on 22 October Sri Lanka announced -Reflection of Sri Lanka- at the Ministry of Mass Media and Information to a packed presser with the presence of Minister Bathiudeen, Susantha Punchinilame (Deputy Minister of Economic Development), and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena‚  (Minister of Investment Promotion).

According to EDB, which is working round the clock to make -ËœReflection-â„¢ a success, already 579 local exhibitors in SME, tourism, trade & investment have come forward to enlist for Reflection-â„¢s trade exposition. The 579 consists of 355 exporters, and 200 SME exhibitors and 24 local machinery exhibitors. More importantly, 81 Foreign companies as machinery and hi-tech equipment exhibitors from such key hotspot markets as China (42 exhibitors as of 30 October), India (21 exhibitors as of 30 October), and Germany (04). And Thailand, Dubai, UK, Taiwan, Japan, Pakistan, Germany, Canada and Korea have confirmed exhibitors for Reflection (as of 30 October).

Also, more than 800 prospective buyers (from 31 countries) are expected (as of 30 October details). Trade delegations from India, Iran, Germany, Bangladesh, South Africa, and China too have been confirmed. EDB is preparing to facilitate B2B meetings and factory visits for these international visitors based on their requests.

The international participants have enlisted through online registration and the Sri Lankan missions in their respective countries.

‚ –Reflection event is expected to take Sri Lanka closer to the committed vision of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa- Minister Bathiudeen added.‚  ‚ 

The strategic thinking behind -Reflection of Sri Lanka- is to leverage the opportunities provided by CHOGM as a platform to illustrate Sri Lanka-â„¢s capacity to easily integrate with global value chains. -ËœReflection-â„¢ will also highlight the country-â„¢s logistic capabilities, high knowledge base, and its dedication to international compliance standards encasing trade, tourism and investment opportunities in them.‚  -Reflection- will showcase Sri Lanka-â„¢s trade, tourism and investment potential to the astute global visitors who will be in the country for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) session to be held from 13 to 17 November. The event, co-organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the EDB functioning under it, is joined by Sri Lanka Tourism, and the Board of Investment will be held at Jana Kala Kendraya, Battaramulla. Reflection is coming in November-and this historic Sri Lanka brand push targets no less than the movers and shakers-the international decision & policy makers as well as investment influencers in these arenas.

‚ Reflection will also showcase an EDB organised pavilion showcasing the product capacity of 200 regional entrepreneurs, highlighting the strength of Sri Lanka-â„¢s regional basket. Arrangements have also been made for 50 SMEs to attend Commonwealth Business Forum held in parallel to the CHOGM.