Spice Council to attend US spice trade centenary celebrations

The American Spice Traders Association (ASTA) has invited members of Sri Lanka’s Spice Council to attend its 100th Anniversary Celebrations at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, California from April 16-19.

The Spice Council said in a press release that it’s participation at these meetings will help to popularize Ceylon Spices in the US Market and provide an opportunity to promote the brand. Sri Lanka is working towards obtaining protection under geographical indication for Ceylon Cinnamon under the TRIPS agreement of the WTO and subsequently for other Ceylon spices, it said.

Sarada de Silva, Chairman of The Spice Council has been invited to make a presentation on Ceylon Spices at the business meeting. The Spice Council will also take part in the Table Top exhibition which will be held on April 17. Members of The Spice Council and Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association have been requested to send in their samples to be displayed at the exhibition. Members will be given an opportunity to display their spice products to over 300 spice industry entrepreneurs of the US who will take part at the annual meeting, the local council said.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Competitiveness Program (TCP) assisted The Spice Council in organizing the outward missions to US and US Food writers visit to Sri Lanka. USAID – TCP is also assisting TSC to organize the Table Top exhibition at the ASTA Annual Meeting.