BITE 2012 in October

Sri Lanka's scenic capital of the east is set to come alive during October 12,13 and 14 by way of the Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition 2012 (BITE- 2012). The exhibition which has been hailed throughout business circles as a central point for the meeting of investors, businesses and investment opportunities with the multitude of activities in the east is set to bridge gaps between the east and the rest of the open world.

Throughout the years Batticaloa has been considered as a focal point for business by not only the eastern business community but by many other provinces in the region. It provides a central merging platform both as agriculture and fishing hub for districts such as Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Trincomalee.

It is also the only comprehensive trade oriented exhibition thus far in the East with the full support of the government and other vital industrial, governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders. BITE 2012 organized by Presidential Award Winning exhibition organizers, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce will witness the most comprehensive range of industries meet under one central platform.

The exhibition will see the gathering of industries not confined to but including that of, construction, agriculture, food and beverage packing, Information technology, communication, apparel, automobile and hospitality.

The sub business structures prevalent within these large industries will all be a part of the fiesta that is set to set the ‘city of the singing fish’ alive.

Imran Hassan, Director LECS said that the opening up of the city for the wider world and creating a meeting point between industries and businesses within the East and covering regions and the rest of the world is the main target of BITE 2012.

“Last year we had resounding success with the exhibition which was graced by almost all key stakeholders of businesses in Batticaloa. The exhibitors were provided with an exclusive and comprehensive opportunity to meet with industry leaders, businesses and the general population of the east giving them an unparalleled opportunity to understand markets and create new investments,” he said.

BITE 2012 will provide exhibitors with an opportunity to explore firsthand the latent opportunities prevalent within the east and its surrounding cities.

The exhibition is largely seen as the main meeting point in creating investment in the region which was previously ravaged due to the civil conflict that engulfed the island for a period of three decades.

Batticaloa, however, continued to be the trading hub of the east despite the vagaries of war and many see the dawn of peace as the perfect opportunity to drive the trading hub of the east towards new dimensions. The trade fair will provide all exhibitors direct access with community leaders, market leaders, traders, investors, entrepreneurs, government and nongovernmental stake holders- all under one single roof. The exhibition is also considered as a hot breeding ground for young entrepreneurs of the East who will use the exhibition to explore new business opportunities and interact and partner with the segments they believe to be the most potent.

The East has seen an uprising of sorts with the implementation of mega development projects by the government under the “Nagenehira Navodaya” programme and this indeed will provide the impetus and the grounding platform for the venturing into new business and development areas. The city attracts trader, business and farmer communities from key regions around the city of which many would be direct participants of the mega exhibition.