SHARJAH: Sri Lankan companies took centre stage at the Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo 2025, which ran from 17 to 19 June at the Expo Centre Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The event gathered industry professionals from across the region, providing a vibrant platform for networking, product showcases, and discussions on the latest sector innovations.
Ten Sri Lankan enterprises presented their products and expertise under the Sri Lanka Pavilion, an initiative organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with support from the Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates. The Expo was officially opened by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in the presence of Expo officials and Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, Alexi Gunasekera.
Prior to the Expo’s inauguration, Consul General Gunasekera, accompanied by U.P. Jayasinghe, Senior Deputy Director of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), and P.L. Susantha Premarathna, Deputy Director of EDB’s Industrial Products Division, met with the leadership of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Their discussions addressed the potential for expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and Sharjah beyond rubber, touching on investment prospects, trade facilitation, industrial partnerships, and future business engagement initiatives.
On the second day, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador-designate to the UAE, Arusha Cooray, visited the Sri Lanka Pavilion to engage with participating companies. During her visit, she was briefed on exhibitors’ product offerings and market objectives. Ambassador Cooray emphasised, “Events of this nature are vital for increasing Sri Lanka’s visibility in key regional markets.”
The Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo offered Sri Lankan firms the chance to connect with potential buyers, distributors, and manufacturers from the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Through their participation, companies aimed to establish new market linkages, gain insights into regional demand, and promote Sri Lanka’s robust rubber industry capabilities in the Middle East.
