Shilpa 2011 to popularize handicrafts

Disna MUDALIGE

The National Exhibition and Trade Fair "Shilpa 2011" has been organized under full state patronage for the seventh consecutive year with the aim of popularizing and promoting handicrafts and traditional industries.

It will be held from October 27 to 30 from 10 am to 10 pm at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is to participate as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of this event organized by the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry. Admission is free to all visitors. The exhibition will demonstrate about 1500 products which were selected from provincial and district competitions. The Trade Fair includes about 200 stalls which would be given at concessionary rates to producers avoiding the meddle men to ensure direct income to producers. The exhibition promotes market oriented new designs and creating the platform for a rendezvous of international and local buyers and sellers.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy revealed these facts at a press conference held at the Information Department.

Minister Douglas Devananda and deputy minister Weerakumara Dissanayake said that the government's goal is to develop handicrafts industry as a sector that directly influences the economy of the country. They observed that there is a rising global demand for handicrafts and as a country this opportunity should be well exploited.

The ministry has also organized an awards ceremony to reward and encourage the best performers of the exhibition while extending government recognition for them.