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Expo 2027 Media Briefing and Awareness Session Held in Karachi
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Karachi, in close coordination with the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Forum, successfully hosted a comprehensive Media Briefing and Awareness Session for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 on October 30, 2026. The evening brought together over 120 key stakeholders, including leading Pakistani importers, exporters, potential investors, prominent media representatives, and senior officials from major commercial bodies, most notably the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The primary objective of the gathering was to unveil the strategic road map for Expo 2027—scheduled for January 14–17, 2027, at the BMICH in Colombo—and to mobilize high-level delegation participation from Pakistan's private sector.
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Rehan Bhoja, President of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Forum and co-host of the event, who emphasized the historical economic ties and the immense potential for trade expansion between the two partner nations. Consul General Sanjeewa Pattiwila delivered the detailed keynote presentation, outlining the main structure of Expo 2027. The presentation highlighted key export sectors targeting international buyers, including textiles, tea, spices, coconut products, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, ceramics, processed foods, ICT, and engineering goods. The Consul General underscored that the four-day exhibition will serve as a vital bilateral platform to boost Sri Lanka's exports and expand investment opportunities across diverse economic sectors.
The session featured addresses from key industry leaders who voiced strong commitment to the initiative. Mr. Aslam Pakhali, Senior Vice President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed gratitude for the briefing, praised the deep-rooted people-to-people relations between the two countries, and confirmed that a sizable delegation of Pakistani businessmen will travel to Colombo for the expo. Mr. Ruwan Wijekoon, Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines, announced special concessionary airfares from Karachi and Lahore to Colombo, alongside tailored hotel and ground transportation packages designed to support delegates attending the event.
To ensure effective follow-up, all participating delegates and media houses were provided with comprehensive information dockets containing promotional brochures, trade profile data, and preliminary registration forms. The majority of attending business representatives expressed firm intent to participate in the exhibition. The formal session concluded with a networking dinner featuring a curated selection of authentic Sri Lankan and Pakistani cuisine, providing a warm environment for direct interaction among trade leaders, and media personalities. The Sri Lanka Consulate General in Karachi expects maximum participation from Pakistan for Expo 2027.
