The Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Sri Lanka High Commission in the Maldives, organized a Sri Lankan business delegation to participate in the prestigious Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge 2025, which was held in Hulhumalé, Maldives, from 20th to 22nd October 2025.
The 19th edition of this internationally recognized event reinforced its reputation as the Maldives’ largest and most influential hospitality trade exhibition. The accompanying International Culinary Challenge, which commenced on 19th October, brought together leading chefs and emerging culinary talents from across the archipelago for exciting live competitions.
Since its inception in 2000, Hotel Asia has evolved into one of the region’s premier hospitality and trade showcases—expanding from just 42 stalls and 37 chefs to over 300 stalls and participants from 48 countries, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, China, Thailand, UAE, USA, and Switzerland. The event served as a dynamic platform for industry professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.
Taking center stage at the event, Sri Lanka showcased a vibrant national pavilion featuring over 48 Sri Lankan companies, organized by the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMBC) in collaboration with the Export Development Board (EDB). The pavilion highlighted Sri Lanka’s innovation and expertise across sectors such as food, hospitality, wellness, and sustainable products. This initiative aimed to further strengthen bilateral business relations and promote Sri Lankan enterprises within the Maldivian market, in line with the Maldives’ ongoing tourism expansion and growing demand for quality regional products and services.
The opening ceremony of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and the Sri Lankan Pavilion took place on 20th October 2025 and was graced by His Excellency M. R. Hassen, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, together with Mr. Sanjeewa Perera, President of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMBC), council office bearers, and representatives from participating Sri Lankan companies.
Industry partnerships with Ocean Trade and Logistics and Aitken Spence, supporting logistics and travel services respectively, further strengthened the SLMBC delegation’s participation.
During the mission, the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMBC) held meetings with key ministries and chambers in the Maldives, including the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives National Chamber of Commerce, Maldives Ports Limited, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
These discussions helped strengthen business collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, enhanced regional connectivity, and fostered mutually beneficial economic growth.
