Embassy of Sri Lanka 3025 Whitehaven Street NW Washington D.C. 20008

Tel: (202) 483 4026, Fax: (202) 232 7181 Website: http://www.slembassvusa.org E-mail: itu@slembassyusa.org

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To : Secretary/Foreign Affairs Attn : Director General/Public Communication

From: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. Signature:

Minister (Commer ial) for Charge d' Affaires, a.i.

Copy : 1. Director General of Commerce/Department of Commerce 2. Director General/Economic Affairs & Trade

Priority: Security:

Pages: Date: February 06, 2019

Msg No: File No:

Events organized parallel to Apparel Sourcing USA, 21st - 23rd January 2019, New York, USA

1. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC organized two networking events in New York Under the Economic Diplomacy Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2 . Eight Sri Lankan Apparel Exporters representing Sri Lanka Chamber o Garment Exporters took part in the events.

3 . A media release prepared by this Embassy in this regard along with photographs is sent herewith.

4. You may issue the media release and photographs to all media please . (Ends.) I

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SLD-32

Media release

Apparel Sourcing USA, 21st - 23rd January 2019: Sri Lankan companies are upbeat on the future prospects of Sri Lankan apparel exports to US

Eight Leading Sri Lankan apparel exporters of the Chamber of Garment Exporters of Sri Lanka participated in the Apparel Sourcing USA exhibition held in New York, USA from 21st - 23rd, January 2019 with the objective of promoting Sri Lankan apparels in the US market taking into account the potential opportunities for further promotion due to the favourable atmosphere prevails in the US .

Under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombo, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC organized two networking events for Sri Lankan exhibitors parallel to the Apparel Sourcing USA exhibition. A networking named "Sri Lanka Happy Hour" was held on 22nd January 2019 in the exhibition premises (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center) in New York. The "Sri Lanka Happy Hour" attracted many buyers to the Sri Lanka pavilion in the exhibition. More than one hundred buyers visited Sri Lanka pavilion during the happy hour.

A networking breakfast was held in the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce on 23rd January 2019. Mr. Sumedha Ponnamperuma, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC made an introductory presentation on Sri Lanka apparels and opportunities. Mr. Hemantha Kumara, Secretary General of the Chamber of Garment Exporters of Sri Lanka also made a comprehensive presentation on opportunities and advantages of Sri Lankan apparel for importers across the world . In addition to that, two short films on Sri Lankan Apparel were also screened. A total of fifty nine members representing the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce participated in the networking breakfast.

According to the company sources, a large number of positive inquiries has been received from apparel buyers which are under negotiation.

M/s. Harward Fashion (Pvt.) Ltd., M/s . JIA Moda (Pvt.) Ltd. , M/s. Jumeirah Group of Companies, M/s. Kash Garments (Pvt.) Ltd., M/s. Pti . Textile Group, M/ s. Sarasavi Exports (Pvt.) Ltd., M/ s . Screenline (Pvt.) Ltd. , and M/ s . Sunqueen Garments (Pvt.) Ltd. participated in the two events. Apparel categories manufacturing by these companies are ladies wear, night dresses, swimwear, sportswear, household linen, handloom textiles , heat transfer

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stickers and T-shirts etc. It has been noticed that undergarments, socks, bags made out of recycle & cotton fabric and heat transfer stickers were attracted many buyers.

The Commercial section of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC will coordinate with companies in Sri Lanka on further arrangements in regard to the orders being processed.

Embassy of Sri Lanka Washington DC USA

06.02 .2019

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