The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne (SLCG) and the Sri Lanka-Australia Chamber of Commerce (SLACC), organised a trade tour to Melbourne, Australia, from September 2-6 for officials of Sri Lankan companies.
The delegation comprised 17 Sri Lankan companies, each selected through an interview process for their excellence in the food industry.
These companies represented a diverse array of specialties, including Ceylon Tea, spices, processed food, coconut-based products, and food packaging.
The participating companies were Bespice, Black Tea, CAP Organic, Ceylbee International, Ceylon Beverage Can, Derana Marketing Services, Enrich Tea & Food Exports, Finch Foods and Freelan Enterprises, Haritha Ceylon, Hero Nature Products, Lihini Nature Products, Maharaja Foods, Manchiee De Coco Products, Sena Mills Refineries Exports, Unistar International and Wewelwala Mills. These companies were chosen for their innovation, quality, and potential to make a impact in the Australian market.
This mission was a follow-up to the Aboriginal Economic Development Group’s visit to Sri Lanka in September last year, which laid the groundwork for expanding trade between the two nations. As a key event, the delegation underscored Sri Lanka’s potential in key export areas such as Ceylon Tea, spices, processed food, coconut-based products, and food packaging.
The officials attended the ‘Fine Food Australia 2024’, the largest trade event in Australia for food, packaging and hospitality industry. This exhibition, known for showcasing cutting-edge products and top suppliers, offered the Sri Lankan participants an unparalleled opportunity to meet with international partners, secure valuable deals, and explore trends that could be incorporated into Sri Lanka’s food export industry.
The full-day event allowed Sri Lankan companies to network and gain exposure to the competitive Australian market.
Sri Lankan delegation participated in Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings organised by the SLCG and SLACC during the visit. SLCG has invited Sri Lanka Business Council in Melbourne for business meetings to partnering with the Sri Lankan delegates. The delegation continued with another round of B2B meetings with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce – Melbourne with the participation of members of other chambers such as Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce and Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia.
These meetings helped establish direct connections with Australian buyers and distributors, further advancing Sri Lanka’s trade interests in Australia.
The Kinaway Global Alliance received Sri Lankan delegation at the Victorian Parliament House where delegates had the chance to connect with the members of Victorian Parliament and engage with local industry leaders and indigenous business owners during the networking session.
To gain insights into the retail supply chain in Australia, the officials visited to a distribution centre enabling them to explore how their products could integrate into local markets. The inclusion of retailers and distribution channels was key to understanding the logistical processes needed to secure a foothold in Australian markets.
The delegates met CEO and Founder of MabuMabu, Nornie Bero an indigenous Australian food business renowned for its commitment to showcasing native ingredients and sustainable food practices.
Delegates attended an information sharing session on Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) organised by the SLCG with the participation of the officials of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
This session was crucial in helping the Sri Lankan exporters understand the strict regulations governing the import of goods into Australia, particularly in the food sector.
