The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) will intensify its support for Sri Lankan exports to Germany by providing continuous matchmaking opportunities to boost trade, according to a top official of AHK Sri Lanka.
He said AHK Sri Lanka will organise a Sri Lankan pavilion at the world’s No 1 exhibition for fresh fruits, vegetables and spices ‘Fruit Logistic’ exhibition from April 5-7 in Berlin.
The Delegation officials were speaking at a webinar on ‘EU Market Requirements and Opportunities for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables’ organised by the AHK Sri Lanka with its Import Promotion Desk (IPD).
The webinar was aimed to support Sri Lankan fresh fruits and vegetable exporters to increase business opportunities and the visibility of products “Made in Sri Lanka” in the EU market.
The Head of Corporate Affairs and Export Promotion at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), Malintha Gajanayake said, “European Union (EU) is one of the most important markets for Sri Lankan exporters including the fruits and vegetables sector recording an increase of 9% (USD Mn) overall exports to the EU states. “Germany in particular is an important market for Sri Lankan fruits and vegetable exporters. Last year, Germany was placed at the fifth position for exports of fruits with a value of USD 2.15mn and ninth position for vegetable exports with a value of USD 0.75 mn,” he said.
On behalf of AHK Sri Lanka, Gajanayake extended his support to the exporters of Agri-Food products from Sri Lanka to enhance Sri Lankan exports to Germany and the European Union, and further increase the visibility of fresh fruit and vegetable products exported to the EU.
Regional Expert from the IPD Hub in Sri Lanka, Ms. Linda Mense provided an overview of the activities of IPD and offered further support to the Sri Lankan exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The webinar featured a presentation by Ferry Böhnke, external IPD Consultant for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, who outlined the market access requirements, growing trends in the EU import market, the legal framework to maintain food safety and quality and the prerequisites to enter and sustain in the EU market.