Trading complexes open today

Irangika RANGE

The Government will open three large scale Trading Complexes including Vegetable Trading Complex, 'Textile and Garment Trading Complex' and Plastic Items Trading Complex attached to the Dedicated Economic Centre in Narahenpita today to offer consumer items at concessionary rates to the public.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday,Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardene said all goods will be sold at retail prices to provide maximum relief to consumers for the festive season.

The consumers will have the opportunity to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits at wholesale prices through the Vegetable Trading Complex. These fresh and high quality consumer items will be contained in plastic packages to minimize the waste.

He said three complexes would provide marketing facilities to local vegetables, fruits, sweets, textiles and garments, gift items, shoes, stationaries, plastic items including domestic and official equipment manufacturers, importers and suppliers in the country. "They can earn huge profits as they directly involved in the business," he said. It will also prove to be an opportunity for the traders of the country to display and market their products without any intervention of the middlemen. On the other hand it would also fulfill various requirements of consumers at cheaper rates. These trading complexes comprise 136 trade stalls and have been constructed using modern technology by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) to facilitate both, traders and consumers.These complexes will foster competition in the market place and prevent artificial jacking up of prices, Minister Gunawardene said.

New complexes will be kept open from 3.00 p.m. to 11 p.m. during week days and from 2.00pm to 11 pm in weekends and it is expected to cater to more than 10,000 consumers daily.