Sri Lankan products promoted in Rio Grande Sul-Brazil 

In order to expand Sri Lanka’s commercial relations with the State of Rio Grande Sul, the fourth largest regional Economy of Brazil whose GDP is estimated to be over US$ 150 billion, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Brazil organized a series of promotional activities in its capital-Porto Alegre recently. 

José Ivo Sartori, Governor of Rio Grande Sul extended a warm welcome with military honours to Sri Lankan Ambassador in Brazil - General Jagath Jayasuriya. 
During the bilateral meeting at his Palace ‘Piratini’, the Governor Sartori appreciated the visit by the Sri Lankan Ambassador and his team to the State of Rio Grande Sul to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the State, especially in the sphere of trade and commerce. 

Ambassador Jayasuriya said that Sri Lanka and Brazil maintain excellent diplomatic relations and it was time for both countries to explore ways and means to expand trade and commercial relations between the two countries. Ambassador Jayasuriya further said that, being an emerging high end market with a GDP per capita of over US$ 12,500 Rio Grande Sul was a very important State for Sri Lanka, especially for its high quality apparel, rubber products, Gems and Jewellery and porcelain & ceramic ware. 

Sharing his views at a luncheon business meeting at the Federation of Commerce and Services (Fecomércio) attended by over 40 businessmen, General Jayasuriya mentioned that Sri Lanka is in the process of organizing a high profile trade delegation to Brazil in order to expand its apparel and rubber products exportation to Brazil and also to explore the possibility of introducing world renowned Ceylon Tea. He further said that there are many new Sri Lankan companies which are looking for entering into Brazilian apparel market which is considered to be one of the fastest growing apparel markets in the world with over US$ 42 billion annual sales. “Though Brazil is not a tea drinking country, there is an encouraging demand for tea from health conscious Brazilian consumers, especially from the young generation” Ambassador Jayasuriya said.

 Commending the initiative by Sri Lanka to organize a business delegation to Brazil, Mr. Pedro de Marchi Calazans, Commercial Manager of Fecomércio said that it would be a pleasure for them to assist Sri Lanka to enter into the huge market of Rio Grande Sul which has a population of over 11 million.

The main product promotional programme which was held at Hotel Plaza São Rafael was attended by over 20 identified leading businessmen based in Rio Grande Sul. Sri Lankan product display at the meeting venue was attracted by all participants since they could gain firsthand information on the quality of Sri Lankan export products.

 During the promotional programme, Ambassador Jayaduriya and Commercial Secretary Premathilake Jayakody attended a special promotional programme organized by the Union of the Jewellery Industry and Mining (SINDIPEDRAS) in the city of Soledade, the Gem City of Rio Grande Sul.  Speaking to the business gathering Ambassador Jayasuriya mentioned that Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority will soon lead a business delegation comprising leading Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery companies to Brazil in order to explore the possibility of exchanging each other’s exclusive products.