The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil in Collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board organized the first ever Sri Lanka participation at this prestigious show which has a remarkable track record as one of the leading B2B platforms for Super Market food products.
Fernando Pimentel, the Governor of the State of Minas Gerais declared open the Sri Lanka pavilion. Speaking to the gathering rallying around the Sri Lanka pavilion, the Governor said that unique Sri Lankan products will certainly meet the quality sought by the upper-end consumers in Minas Gerais. The State of Minas Gerais is the third largest economy in Brazil with a GDP of over US$ 207 billion and has an affordable consumer base whose per capita is over US$ 10,130.
‘‘Though Brazil is predominantly a coffee drinking country, there is a promising demand for tea especially from health conscious young generation’’ said General Jagath Jayasuriya, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil at a business gathering which was held on the sideline of the trade show. He described ‘SuperMinas’ as an excellent opportunity to enter into the huge market of Minas Gerais which has a population of over 20.8 million.
The assortment of Ceylon tea, spices, specialty food, porcelain, rubber products, apparel and fish flies displayed at the exclusive stall organized by the Embassy was attracted by many leading regional super market chains in the State of Minas Gerais. The products were provided by many leading Sri Lankan exporters who are looking to enter into the huge Brazilian market. Premathilake Jayakody, Commercial Counselor of the Embassy attended B2B meetings with potential importers on behalf of the Sri Lankan companies. King Tea Lanka Pvt Ltd from Sri Lanka also participated at the trade show.
Speaking at a dinner meeting, General Jayasuriya mentioned that the Embassy is now planning to organize Sri Lanka participation in the renowned ‘APAS Trade Show’ to be held from 2-5 May 2017 in Sao Paulo, the biggest metropolitan city of Brazil (www.feiraapas.com.br). The ‘APAS Trade Show’ which is organized annually by the Sao Paulo Super Market Association (APAS) is said to be one of the biggest Supermarket Trade Shows in the world and the biggest in Latin America. The Trade Show has gathered, since 1984, all the leading supermarket chains from Brazil and all over the world in order to promote networking, close deals and get acquainted with the best practices in the sector.
