LuLu’s Colombo export facility pushing growth in Sri Lanka exports to Qatar

LuLu Group’s world-class sourcing, food processing, and export unit in Sri Lanka has been playing a significant role in increasing Sri Lanka’s exports to Qatar, a top official has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ‘Taste of Sri Lanka’ festival held Saturday, Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International, emphasised that the South Asian nation has been developing a wide range of organic lines, which LuLu Group brings to Qatar “in large quantities”.
The group’s state-of-the-art facility, which is located at the Katanayake Export Processing Zone near Colombo International Airport, focuses on sourcing, processing, storing, packaging and exporting fruits, vegetables and commodities from Sri Lanka to different LuLu operations across the globe.
“Sri Lanka has several unique items that are in high demand in the local and international markets, such as organic products and superfoods. Many Sri Lankan products are well-known for their high quality, such as tea and spices, among others,” Dr Althaf stressed.
Sri Lankan ambassador Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen emphasised that business between LuLu Group and Sri Lanka has been growing steadily year-on-year not only in a wide range of export products but also in manpower, thus providing more job opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals in Qatar.
“Trade between Sri Lanka and Qatar is about $90mn. Our country is known for its wide range of high-quality products that are exported to Qatar, including apparel, vegetables, and fruits with a special focus on bananas and superfoods like moringa leaf and coconut,” the ambassador said.
Dr Althaf also said the 2023 edition of ‘Taste of Sri Lanka’ festival, which is organised annually by LuLu Group in co-operation with the Sri Lankan embassy in Qatar, commemorates the country’s 75th Independence Day.
“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.
A wide range of Sri Lankan commodities and agricultural produce are offered on display at discounted prices. Special counters were set allowing customers to taste and sample different Sri Lankan food products, he added.