MUSCAT: Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman has initiated the first ever export of Sri Lankan poultry products to the Sultanate of Oman under the Economic Diplomacy Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Handing over the first 30 metric ton consignment of Sri Lankan frozen chicken exported by Farm‘s Pride (Pvt) Ltd of Sri Lanka to, Managing Director of Al Hamadi Trading & Cont. LLC Flynn M V.de Lima who is one of the largest frozen meat importers in Oman, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman O.L. Ameer Ajwad stated: “a new market is being opened to a new Sri Lankan export product first time in the GCC region. It is a big breakthrough.”
Mr. Flynn M V.de Lima stated: “There is a huge potential for Sri Lankan food products in the region and this initiative has opened up a new chapter for the exports of Sri Lankan poultry products to the region.”
CEO of BPOS Global LLC Anselm Perera stated: “This is the first time in the history that a Sri Lankan meat product enters the GCC market in such a big quantity in commercial terms.”
Farm’s Pride Ltd., one of the largest Sri Lanka’s food exporting companies, who participated at the B2B meetings organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oman on 1 October 2019 in Muscat under the “Economic Diplomacy Programme” of the Ministry of Foreign Relations in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), had established business links with Al Hamadi Trading & Cont. LLC. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman subsequently issued the license to import poultry products from Sri Lanka to the Sultanate on completion of necessary procedures. BPOS Global LLC serves as the local agent of the Farms Pride (Pvt) Ltd.
Ambassador Ameer Ajwad extended his sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman for issuing the necessary license to export Sri Lankan poultry products for the first time to Oman. He also extended his appreciation to the Managing Directors of Farm’s Pride Ltd, Al Hamadi Trading & Cont. LLC and BPOS Global LLC for their tireless efforts for making this initiative a success during this challenging time amidst the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
First Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oman W.D.N.M. Abeysekara and CEO of BPOS Global LLC Anselm Perera were also present during the handing over of the export documents to the importer held at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Muscat.
Meanwhile,Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Relations said that comprehensive measures taken by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Relations in close coordination with the key government economic agencies and the private sector to address and mitigate the impact of COVID 19 particularly on Sri Lankan exports, has helped in sustaining and regaining lost markets for traditional Sri Lankan exports, while enabling new opportunities. Exports which accounted for US $ 277 Million in April 2020, had increased to US $606 Million in May, and is expected to grow in the coming months, in line with the revised projections.
This observation was made by the Foreign Ministry’s Additional Secretary/Economic Affairs P.M. Amza, during an interview with local media.
The Additional Secretary said, since the outbreak of the COVID-19, the Ministry’s ‘Economic Diplomacy Programme’ has been playing a pivotal catalyst role, in partnership with Agencies such as the Export Development Board and the Tea Board, in facilitating Sri Lankan exporters to overcome the adverse impact of COVID 19. Despite the challenging circumstances, including disruptions to the global supply chains and logistics, the proactive stance of the Ministry and Missions abroad has seen the emergence of new market destinations as well as opportunity to regain the markets for Traditional Sri Lankan exports such as Tea, Rubber and fresh/processed food. As a result of the evolving global COVID 19 situation, Sri Lanka has also been able to target new products and markets particularly for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and rubber based products (Face masks – 12 markets, protective gowns – 17 markets, Rubber Gloves – 12, Hand sanitizers – 12). Interventions made by the Ministry saw 344 MT and 220 MT of Ceylon Tea exported to Turkey and Egypt and 30 MT of frozen food to Oman, under challenging circumstances.
At the request of the Joint Apparel Forum of Sri Lanka (JAAF), the Ministry together with the Sri Lankan Missions have also successfully coordinated sourcing raw materials for the production of PPEs, thus catering to the rising demand from many countries. 53 potential suppliers for specific raw materials were identified.
Sri Lanka’s Brandix recently exported the first consignment of an order of 200 million face masks from the United States. The face masks have been manufactured combining the efforts of over 15,000 of the company’s employees and an extended network of several supply chain partners in the country. The face masks, produced as 3-ply and of cotton-based fabric with anti-microbial finish, is stretchable for better fit and meet stringent hygiene standards, according to Sri Lankan media reports.
In the context of the post COVID 19, the Ministry together with the EDB has additionally identified 15 potential sectors with a view to capture new markets and strengthen the demand in the existing markets. Comprehensive measures targeting coconut, processed food, seafood, spices and concentrates, electronics and electrical, logistics, printing, ceramic and porcelain,Ayurveda and herbals, wellness, ICT/BPM, marine and offshore engineering, construction, and boat and ship building sectors are being mapped out taking the current constraints, challenges as well as opportunities into account. As a way forward, webinars and virtual B2B meetings are being planned by the EDB for priority sectors with increased demand including Ayurveda and herbal, ceramic and porcelain, boat and ship building, and electronics and electrical sectors.
The Ministry, Sri Lanka’s missions abroad and the private sector, are also working in collaboration with Sri Lankan Airlines, which has been one of the few carriers which has continued to operate cargo flights internationally. The viability of these flights has been enhanced, where possible, by also bringing back Overseas Sri Lankans seeking to be repatriated, making both passenger and cargo transport more cost effective to all parties.
