‘Sri Lanka must capitalize on Korean Expo’

Cassandra ABEYNAIKE

Sri Lanka must capitalize on the Korean Expo which will be held from May to August in Korea said business promoter M. J. M. Zurfick.

He said that this year, with permanent peace, the Sri Lankan tourism sector should make aggressive promotions to woo more Korean tourists.

He also said that with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Korea the stage is set for Lankan entrepreneurs to capitalize.

M. J. M. Zurfick

Zurfick who has been a prominent business figure in both Korea and Japan said that the Expo would also be an ideal platform to find investors for joint ventures. He identified value addition in fish, agriculture and apparel as key areas where this could be pursued.

A former Ambassador, he said that with high taxes for vehicle imports, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs should look at opportunities in the automobile sector as well and this Expo would be an ideal opportunity for that.

“I am more than ready to assist any Sri Lankan in this regard,” he said.

Over one hundred countries are expected to join Expo 2012 in Yeosu and the Expo runs from May 12 to August 12, ninety three (93) days in total.

The city of Yeosu, a port city with abundant maritime resources, hosts Expo 2012 Yeosu.

This international exhibition differs from a world expo in terms of its duration (3 months instead of 6) and the fact that the countries are allocated a pavilion instead of building their own.

The theme of Expo 2012 is ‘The Living Ocean and Coast.’

Every few years there are world fairs with different themes and countries from around the world participate in them.

Expo 2012 is dedicated to the health of the planet and the well-being of humanity, and will suggest ways of looking to the seas to find the engine of future growth, as well as avenues for the preservation of marine ecosystems.

The expo will be held in the city of Yeosu, which means “Beautiful Water”.