NCP to conduct Avurudhu Udanaya

Irangika RANGE

The National Co-operative Council (NCP) in collaboration with the top tier co-operative bodies in Sri Lanka will conduct a mega trade fair, exhibition and the carnival Avurudu Udhanaya - Coop City 2010 to meet the needs of the consumers during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year season.

The event will be held at the Homagama Central College ground from April 1 to 4. The co-operative sector has progressed remarkably due to priority given by the Mahinda Chintana policy framework which has benefited a number of local producers and consumers, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Daily News.

He pointed out that all co-operative products including rice, rice based products, salt, agricultural products, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk based products, fish products, industrial products, fabric and garments, books and stationery manufactured by members of the co-operative societies across the country will be available for at the trade fair.

He said that 363 Coop Cities and 110 Mini Coop Cities will take part in the trade fair and exhibition by displaying and marketing their products.

The importance of the trade fair is, that it will provide market facilities to co-operative societies throughout the country to display and sell their products during the four days.

He said that the Government under the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has recognized the values and greatest potential of the co-operative sector which has been revived benefiting the livelihoods of millions in the fishing, dairy, grains, rice, fabric and garment sectors.

The Minister said that the main objective of the project is to encourage local producers attached to the co-operative societies and providing high quality consumer items at affordable prices.

The National Co-operative Council with the assistance of apex co-operative marketing federations such as Markfed, Coopfed and Sanasa and other co-operative organizations will organize the event.