Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ The Sri Lanka Retailers Association (SLRA), a significant entity in the structured retail sector of Sri Lanka, recently hosted the highly anticipated meeting of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) Head of Delegations at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. This critical event served as a pivotal platform to deliberate on the selection of the host country for the Asia Pacific Retailers Association Conference and Exhibition 2024 (APRCE 2024), a decision that holds substantial implications for the global retail industry and is determined through a voting process among FAPRA members. Sri Lanka’s role as the Deputy Chair of the Executive Committee for APRCE 2024 highlights its steadfast dedication to the advancement of the retail landscape.
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The outcomes of the FAPRA Head of Delegations Meeting were officially revealed at the Seventh Sri Lanka Retail Forum. Notable figures including FAPRA Chairman Roy Nicolas Mandey, President of the Philippine Retailers Association Roberto Claudio, Malaysian Retailers Association Presidential Advisor James Loke, and former SLRA President Murali Prakash made the formal announcement. Mandey revealed that Sri Lanka had been chosen as the host nation for APRCE 2024, scheduled to take place from September 4th to 6th in 2024. Furthermore, Mandey announced the appointment of Prakash as the upcoming Chairman of the FAPRA for a three-year tenure starting from 2024.
Mandey, in his address to the forum, elucidated the FAPRA’s inception in 1983 as the governing body for the Asia Pacific region and emphasized the participation of 18 member countries from diverse Asian regions. Highlighting the significant event, the Asia Pacific Retailers Conference and Exhibition (APRCE), slated for 2024 in Sri Lanka, he extended an invitation to all stakeholders to engage in knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities within the 18 FAPRA countries. Claudio and Loke further expounded on the influential role of FAPRA in the retail sector’s evolution and the extensive impact it holds for both Malaysia and Sri Lanka, particularly in the context of the imminent APRCE 2024.
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Mandey said, “The FAPRA is the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association. The FAPRA was formed in 1983 for the Asia Pacific line, making it nearly 40 years old. Our members belong to all regions of Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and more. Presently, the FAPRA consists of 18 nations in total. Our main event in a calendar year is the Asia Pacific Retailers Conference and Exhibition or APRCE and all of you are invited to join us as it will be held in Sri Lanka from September 4-6, 2024. It is a good opportunity to exchange knowledge, network and advance retail as a delegation from the 18 FAPRA countries will be represented. We are delighted to meet all of you as this will be a first for Sri Lankan retailers, and we hope to continue in the future, especially as Prakash has been named the Chairman of the FAPRA from 2024 onward for three years.”
Offering perspectives from the Malaysian Retail Association, Deputy President Law Boon Eng expressed admiration for the SLRA’s readiness to host the 21st APRCE, lauding the country’s favorable conditions for an international event. Eng debunked earlier reservations about the country’s preparedness, highlighting the conducive environment observed during the Head of Delegates meeting in Colombo. His commendation extended to various aspects, including the quality of local infrastructure, safety, cuisine, hospitality, and language accessibility, extending a warm welcome to the 21st APRCE set to unfold in Colombo in 2024.
Boon Eng said, “Congratulation to the SLRA for hosting the 21st APRCE from September 4-6, 2024. During the last Head of Delegates meeting in Bangkok on May 31, 2023, we were very sceptical that the nation will be ready to host such an international event considering the domestic condition in the country as was conceived. However, on October 19, 2023, when they held the Head of Delegates meeting in Colombo, we were satisfied at the local conditions, which is favorable for the SLRA to host the APRCE and all those misconceptions were unfounded. The hotel was great, the streets are safe, food was wonderful, the public is very friendly and knows English. Welcome to the 21st APRCE, Colombo 2024.”
