The Sri Lanka Pavilion continued to attract large numbers of visitors to Expo 2020 - result of the concerted efforts of Sri Lanka Tourism along with partners to date - Export Development Board, Ceylon Tea Board, Sri Lankan Airlines, Consulate of Dubaiand with the excellent and willing corporation of the Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
EXPO 2020 DUBAI, a prestigious global event commenced on 1st October and will run until 31stMarch 2022.The space allocated is a 212 sq meter area, assigned free of charge, by Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion is built on a design concept given by a team from the Moratuwa University, which won the design award selected and awarded by expo officials.
The entire pavilion construction was facilitated at zero cost to Sri Lanka courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Financial constraints havealso played a part when implementingsome of the plans of the EDB,which had budgeted and planned for the expenditure to the tune of Rs. 580million and the contributions from industry players, for the six months duration of Expo 2020.
The pandemic and economic factors resulted in EDB not being able to raise the funds, Sri Lanka Tourism being called upon in December 2020 to shoulder the financial responsibility and also to take leadership with Tourism agreeing to spend Rs.155.5 million, a fraction of the initial budget, for the entiresix months, to manage the event in Dubai.
We at Sri Lanka Tourism are happy that the Sri Lanka Pavilion attracted nearly 10,000 visitors during the last 20 days from the date of commencement with positive endorsements flowing in. The interactive craft corner which had a cane weaver demonstrating drew many and is run on a rotation basis with an array of activities from Batik, Sri Lankan Puppetry, Clay Pottery, Wood Carving, Sri Lankan Sculpting Craft, Patterns of ‘Beeralu’, Brass Plate Designs, Mask Carving, Rush and Reed Craft, Flax Designs and other Sri Lankan Art showcasing Sri Lankan art and crafts to the world.
Included in the pavilion is a retail corner hosted by EDB providing the opportunity for Sri Lankan export businesses to exhibit their products. These exporters were selected in response to an industry circular, and provides the opportunity for variety and a greater number of exporter participation as it is on a rotation basis.Also included in the pavilion is the famous ‘Ceylon Tea’ corner hosted by the Tea Board in partnership with the private sector.
Tea Board, BOI and Port City will have their own B2B forums facilitated by Sri Lanka Tourism at Expo 2020 Dubai focusing on creating awareness and connecting with potential investors and businesses paving the way for Sri Lankan businesses to unleash possible opportunities in a global market place.
Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority with industry participation will showcase ‘Ceylon Gems’ at the Sri Lanka Pavilion from mid-December till early January and will also run a gem promotion providing the visitors with an opportunity to win Ceylon gems. Sri Lankan Airlines’ raffle draw to win free airline tickets, with social media engagement,is also a huge success according to reports coming from Dubai.
Sri Lanka Tourism looks forward to presenting many more attractions in the coming days weeks and months during the whole duration of the exhibition and it is all planned to keep the momentum going not only at the opening of the Exhibition but to continue throughout, until March 2022.
Photo highlights from Sri Lanka Expo pavilion
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