'LANKAPACK 2012':

Expo to complement industry growth

The Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP), the key organization representing the Sri Lankan packaging industry last week announced the forthcoming 'LANKAPACK 2012' expo which will uncover the vast potential of Sri Lanka's packaging industry and parallely unveil the latest international products.

'LANKAPACK' was launched in 1982 to appreciative industry players, and, rapidly grew over the years. This year's exhibition will be held from May 25 to 27 at the BMICH in Colombo. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, the World Packaging Organization and the Asian Packaging Federation and has attracted significant foreign participation.

President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) Dudley Thambinayagam addresses the media. Emile Gunesekera (General Manager, PICO), Thushantha Karunanayake (Platinum Sponsor), Dharmatilake Ratnayake (Chairman Organizing Committee), Rohan Jayatilake (Deputy Director, Ministry of Industries and Commerce), Haris de Silva (Secretary General SLIP) and B. Swaminathan (Smart Expos) look on

President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging Dudley Thambinayagam said that with the growth in exports as well as the growing demand for consumption in the domestic market, Sri Lanka's packaging industry is also experiencing rapid growth. "The packaging industry in Sri Lanka is on the verge of seeing the latest trends, as the industry fraternity works diligently towards taking the industry to the next level," he said. The LANKAPACK expo is being held after a lapse of five years and the response has been phenomenal with almost all companies representing the various segments of the industry coming forward to be part of this exhibition.

Of added significance this year is the growing international interest in Sri Lanka with almost 35 Indian companies and 10 Chinese companies taking space at the exhibition as direct participants. This is also the very first time that the exhibition will have such a large delegation of exhibitors from overseas. They will initially be looking at establishing themselves in the market with some great product offerings while also giving visitors the opportunity of meeting and interacting with them, and, experiencing their products. In addition there will be representations of some of the latest products and services from UK, USA, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia which make the exhibition a 'must visit' show.

"It is essential that those who use packaging get to know what the market has to offer. This includes the latest trends and developments that are available to them right here in Sri Lanka. LANKAPACK does just this. It will also enable the existing industry members to tie up with new players who are making their way into the market. This exhibition will be a much-needed platform for the packaging fraternity to make public the latest introductions with each show through the coming years", said Chairman of the Exhibition Organizing Committee Dharmatilake Ratnayake.

Another highlight will be the international packaging conference which will be held on May 24 at the Mihilaka Madera, BMICH. This will enable those who are users of packaging services to educate their mangers and staff on the latest trends and developments in the industry. This one-day conference will feature some of the best local and international speakers who will give much needed insights into the industry. It will also enable those who are interested in entering the industry to gather information and thus take informed decisions. Chairman of the Exhibition Organizing Committee Dharmatilake Ratnayake added, "We expect this event to be a show of great importance. The Packaging Development Centre which is a part of SLIP also contributes largely to the overall development of the industry. This is a must-visit business exhibition as the industry will uncover vast potential of Sri Lanka's packaging industry and unveil the latest products"

"We are very pleased with the response and more over with the growing international interest in the exhibition and the Sri Lankan market. We hope to make LANKAPACK an event of great importance to the regional packaging industry. With the growing demand for packaging in the country we are on course towards taking the exhibition to greater heights in the coming years", he added.