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By Shirajiv Sirimane

Over 100 foreign participants and buyers will participate in the inaugural International Industrial Fair which will be held from May 17 to 22 at the new Convention hall at the BMICH.

He said that the highest number of participants are expected from Bangalore and Karanataka and also from the Gulf, China. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

It will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry (SLCSI) as one of the events to commemorate their 40th anniversary.

President of the SLCSI Aloy Jayawardane said that his recent visit to the Middle East had enabled them to woo many buyers, exhibitors and observers to participate in this event. "Our visit to Qatar and UAE was highly successful," he said.

Jayawardane said that there is a possibility of even a Pavilion being set up by the Middle Eastern buyers. He said that they also promoted the new Exhibition and Convention hall which is a gift from the Chinese government in honour of the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

He said that the Sri Lankan delegation comprised the President of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Macky Hasim and they had the full backing of the Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai. Jayawardane who made a presentation to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce said that the purpose of the International exhibition is to set up an Industrial Mart where participants from different global regions could visit one location to find solutions for their operational needs.

"The International Fair will bring Sri Lanka's Premier Products and support services under one roof. This will be an ideal opportunity buyers and sellers to see for themselves the great variety on display and establish orders for supply. The Fair will receive wide international publicity as a result of the involvement of the key Ministries as partners in the event. The Chamber will also invite Foreign Trade Chambers to send delegations to visit the fair," he said at the presentation.

Jayawardane said that in a bid to promote the exhibition they also visited Thailand, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and China and addressed major Chambers of Commerce and industry in the respective countries and the response was very encouraging.

He promised rebated airfares for overseas participants from SriLankan airlines and concessionary rates for hotel accommodation from Hotel Taj Samudra.

The UAE media had given wide coverage for this visit and the Khaleej Times quoted Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, Bandula Somasiri as saying that Sri Lanka is emerging as a favourite destination for tourists and investors from the Emirates specially after the peace process.

UAE is the sixth largest trading partner of Sri Lanka and last year trade between the two countries increased by 5% to $ 260 million, while imports from the UAE were $ 150 million and exports at $ 110 million. The main exports from Sri Lanka include tea, coconut products, gems and jewellery, foodstuff and garments.

He was also quoted as saying that the trend will continue amid the new marketing thrust undertaken by Sri Lankan exporters. "Two Dubai based business groups have already committed more than $ 60 million in new investments for a wheat flour mill for $55 million and a Cricket Stadium in Kandy for $ 5 million."

He said that the trend was set up when Emirates acquired 40% stake in SriLankan Airlines.

The line Ministry for the exhibition are the Ministry of Industries. The partners of the international fair are Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment promotion, Ministry of Tourism, Export Development Board, National Craft Council, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and the Industrial Development Board.

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