Under the able guidance of newly appointed Ambassador Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, The embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation organised these three major state sector participations at two important exhibitions recently.  

The events were namely, the exhibition ‘World Food 2015’, where the international food manufacturers and companies showcased their products in the Russian Federation and ‘Leisure 2015’, where national tourism agencies, airlines, international tour operators and tour agents showcased their tourism, hotelier services to the Russian and international clienteles. These events were participated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Tea Board annually.

Russia, one of the largest markets in the world, has now become an important destination for Sri Lankan exports, especially due to the current ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on the Russian Federation for agricultural products including fish, milk products and meat products.

It is also vital to note that the current ban on the Sri Lankan fish exports to the EU too has become a factor for the Sri Lanka fish industry to divert its current exports to the Russian Federation to compensate the loss that the fish exporters are facing due to the closure of the EU market for their products. Having identified the current market potentials and economic background of the Russian Federation and the CIS countries the Sri Lanka embassy initiated its first step in cultivating Sri Lanka’s potentials by exhibiting the impending exports in the Russian exhibitions and forums. 

The significance of the exhibition ‘World Food’ in 2015 was, as it was the first time in the history that Sri Lanka participation with a larger number of exporters in food sector other than tea in one trade show. The total number of companies participated was 18 and this included five major fish manufacturing companies and six other food product companies. The number of tea companies was five. The national agency that coordinates the event in Sri Lanka was the Commerce Department of Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Export Development Board. 

Majority of the participation on other product sectors was represented by fish industry. Upon the registering of 19 major Sri Lankan fish exporters in the federal service of veterinary and phytosanitory surveillance, in November 2014 enabling Sri Lankan companies to export into the Russian federation, the fish exporters showed enthusiasm in participating at the event as it was very timely to explore this massive Russian market.

The fish manufacturers participated at the event were Global Sea Foods, Lihini Sea Food, Jay Sea Fish processing, Tropic Frozen and Tess Agro. Seafood Association President Roshan Fernando also represented the industry by exhibiting fish products at the event. 

Other than fish, the Sri Lankan market leaders such as Munchee, CBL Natural products, Link Natural, Ruhunu Foods, Lucky Lanka Milk Products and Hero Nature products too took part in this important event. 

The other major event that Sri Lanka participated was the Leisure; Travel and Tourism Fair in Moscow. There were 13 companies participated at the event namely; Aitken Spence Travels, Concord Exotic Voyages , Taj Hotels, Jetwing Travels, Cinnamon Hotels Management, Intravels Holidays, Delux Holidays, Delux Vacation, Green Holiday Centre, Tangarine Tours, Super Corals Hikkaduwa, Ceylon Roots , and Serendib leisure. This is also an annual event that Sri Lanka participates regularly for improving and maintaining the client base.