Shines at 88th International Green Week in Berlin

The Sri Lanka pavilion at the 88th edition of the International Green Week (IGW) trade exhibition in Berlin, Germany (19 to 28 January, 2024) showcased Sri Lankan exports at one of the largest trade fairs in the world for food, agriculture, and horticulture. The pavilion was organized by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) to promote Sri Lankan food products on the international level, marking it the fourth time AHK Sri Lanka has curated the Sri Lankan pavilion at IGW. With over 1,400 exhibitors from 65 countries and a remarkable attendance of more than 400,000 visitors, the IGW garnered extensive coverage from over 1,900 accredited journalists representing 25 countries.

The pavilion was inaugurated on the 19th of January, 2024, with the participation of the Sri Lanka Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Ms. Varuni Muthukumarana, and Head of Corporate Affairs and Export Promotions, Mr. Malintha Gajanayake. Under the Sri Lankan Pavilion, exporters exhibited specializing in tea, coconut and coconut-based products, spices, fruit and fruit-related items, and authentic ready-to-eat Sri Lankan food products.

Despite challenges, AHK Sri Lanka’s steadfast commitment to fostering international trade relations bore fruit with this year’s pavilion including 11 exhibitors from Sri Lanka, up from 5 exhibitors in 2018. Apart from showcasing their product ranges to buyers, the exhibitors benefitted from interacting with consumers, observing new developments and offerings from other countries, and thereby broadening their experiences.

During her interaction with the exhibitors, Ambassador Muthukumarana highlighted the significance of Sri Lanka participation in German trade fairs such as IGW due to exporters getting exposure to European standards and markets. She described consistent participation in such exhibitions, adherence to international standards, and building strong relationships as key to the sustainable increase of export of Sri Lankan agricultural products to the European market, including to Germany.

In the meantime, Mr. Malintha Gajanayake, Head of Corporate Affairs and Export Promotions said, "Germany is Sri Lanka's fourth largest export market, and it has been a reliable export partner for many years. It is extremely important for Sri Lankan exporters to continue participating in major international trade exhibitions with a defined strategy. The comments from trade visitors and end customers on Sri Lankan products, particularly tea, spices, coconut-based items, and rubber and rubber-based products, were positive. I am certain that if Sri Lankan exporters participate strategically in these international trade fairs, we will have a strong opportunity to increase the export capacity to German and EU markets in the future.

In addition, IGW gives a platform to current social issues such as climate protection, circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable land use. Moreover, the 88th edition of Grüne Woche will take place from January 17 to 26, 2025.

As the official representative of German – Sri Lankan business relations in Sri Lanka, AHK Sri Lanka is always committed to fair business and sustainable long term business relations. AHK Sri Lanka offers the ideal platform to create business opportunities for both Sri Lankan and German companies.

AHK Sri Lanka is part of the German Chamber Network supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). With 150 locations in 93 countries around the world, the members of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) offer their experience, connections, and services to German and companies of the respective partner countries. AHKs are located in all countries of particular importance to German companies and are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany.