The retailer of the region Lulu Hypermarket Qatar has launched the “Taste of Sri Lanka” festival, offering the best quality Sri Lankan culinary, grocery ranges, and agricultural and organic produce at discounted prices. The festival will continue until 10 February 2023 at all Lulu Hypermarket stores.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar M. Mafaz Mohideen and his wife jointly inaugurated the festival yesterday (5) at Lulu Hypermarket, Ain Khaled branch.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Lulu Group International Director Dr. Mohamed Althaf; Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy Kashyapa Ukwatte; Doha International Consulting Chairman and GM Naser Mohamed J. Al Marri: Doha International Consulting CEO and GM Ishan Final; Al Harib Security Systems COO Charith Jayasena, and Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha Chairman – Board of Trustees Kumudu Fonseka.
The Lulu Group has been organising this festival annually in all its outlets in the region. By celebrating the Sri Lanka festival every year, the Lulu Group aims to highlight and promote the unique culinary heritage and diverse culture and values that are handed down by generations and various colonial influences that Sri Lanka had undergone in its long history.
It is also the celebration of the long-standing Sri Lanka-Qatar business ties, which have been nurtured right from the spice trade of the olden days.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar Mohideen said: “The ‘Taste of Sri Lanka’ festival offers a wide range of authentic products, including organic and superfoods imported by the Lulu Group from Sri Lanka.”
He said that the festival, organised to mark the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka, showcases high export-quality products targeting all nationalities, including citizens and expatriates.
“I am grateful to the Lulu Group for all the support that it is extending not only in Qatar but across the GCC in promoting Sri Lankan products. They are one of our strongest supporters,” said the Ambassador.
He also noted that business between the Lulu Group and Sri Lanka is growing year-to-year not only in exports but also in manpower, providing more job opportunities to Sri Lankan nationals.
“Trade exchange between Sri Lanka and Qatar is recorded to be about $ 90 million in a year. We are exporting a wide range of products of high export-quality to Qatar, including apparel, fruits, and vegetables with a special focus on bananas and superfoods like moringa leaf and coconut,” the Ambassador added.
“The festival is part of a series of events organised by Lulu Group to celebrate the culinary heritage and culture of different countries. The Sri Lankan community in Qatar is one of the largest expatriate populations, which played an important part in the development of Qatar,” said Dr. Althaf.
He said that the Lulu Group has an export distribution office in Colombo, which played an important role in increasing imports from Sri Lanka to Qatar significantly.
“Sri Lanka has some unique products, which are in high demand in the local and international markets such as organic and superfoods. Many Sri Lankan products are well-known for their high quality, like tea and spices, among others,” said Dr. Althaf.
(The Peninsula)