Sri Lanka figured prominently under its ‘So Sri Lanka’ tagline at the Dubai Expo 2020, from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 in Dubai that draws investors, trade partners and tourists the world over.
Referred to as the world’s largest international stage, the event is the most significant post-Covid global platform that brings together businesses and trades. Sri Lanka, therefore, was fortunate to receive the opportunity to showcase its investment and tourism potential, as well as products and services to the world, while exploring the immense opportunities in the Middle Eastern region.
The Sri Lanka Business Council (SLBC) for Dubai and Northern Emirates led by Chairman Suren Swaminathan, envisioning stronger bilateral business between the UAE and Sri Lanka, joined in promoting the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka at the Expo.
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Export Development Board Chairman Suresh De Mel, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the UAE Malraj De Silva, Sri Lanka’s Consul General to Dubai Nalinda Wijerathne and prominent Australian lawyer of Sri Lankan origin Susantha Katugampala recently visited the Sri Lankan pavilion and held discussions on promoting Sri Lanka.
Katugampala also introduced Minister Gunawardena to Dunstan Rozairo, a Director of the SLBC and a long-standing Sri Lankan expatriate in Dubai who is also Managing Director at the office of His Highness Sheikh Bin Obaid Maktoum. Rozairo said Dubai can be a hub in bringing investments to Sri Lanka since the Dubai Government and the business investor community is genuinely willing to support Sri Lanka’s growth. He added that Sri Lanka should secure these opportunities without delay.
Minister Gunawardena said he would support and welcome trade and investments with Sri Lanka, and highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential in the higher education sector by establishing international universities to attract foreign students.
The potential to bring dollar revenue and create jobs for young professionals in IT, legal and finance streams was also discussed. Katugampala said he would support migration for Sri Lankan citizens, with the understanding that they would return their support to Sri Lanka in the future. Being an Australian lawyer, he has also established the Legal Processing Outsourcing (LPO) in Sri Lanka to process legal documentation for international law firms.