‘SRI LANKA PLAST’ concludes
Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International
Monetary Co-operation flanked by Ashok K Kantha, High
Commissioner of India and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena -
Minsiter of Agriculture inaugurating SRI LANKA PLAST 2012
Sri Lanka’s first ever international plastics exhibition |
Sri Lanka’s first ever international plastics exhibition - SRI LANKA
PLAST 2012, was inaugurated by Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for
International Monetary Co-operation - Sri Lanka in the presence of Ashok
K Kantha, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka and Special Guest
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena Minister of Agriculture.
Organised by Enterprising Fairs India Pvt. Ltd, ‘SRI LANKA PLAST’ is
co-organised by the Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRIL).
It is supported by CIPET – Central institute of Plastics Engineering
Technology, India, together with the Central Environment Authority of
Sri Lanka.
Inaugurating the three day International Plastics Exhibition, the
Minister hoped that this International Plastics exhibition will not only
facilitate the growth of plastics industries in Sri Lanka but also
create a new breed of entrepreneurs and thereby create new employment
opportunities. He stressed that the producers of plastics must come
forward and share responsibility with the Government and the civic
administration to promote source segregation of plastics waste and
encourage recycling of plastics.
Ashok K Kantha, High Commissioner of India, Guest of Honour,
mentioned that he was pleased to note that more than 90% exhibitors are
from India and he hoped that this exhibition will undoubtedly promote
international exchange of experience and expertise in this sunrise
sector which India has witnessed rapid strides in the recent years. He
also hoped that Sri Lanka Plast will provide a platform for Indian
companies to show case their strengths and capabilities.
“This will not only boost the bilateral trade in this sector but also
help in the development of the plastics industry in Sri Lanka”, he
added.
The current consumption of plastics in Sri Lanka is around 175,000
metric tons per annum with nearly 800 plastics processors predominantly
in the small and medium sectors. With Sri Lanka’s plastics industry
expected to grow by 15%-20% in the near future, the only way to meet
this demand is to create new manufacturing facilities and capacities.
Kirthi Wanasinghe, President of Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri
Lanka, the co-organisers of SRI LANKA PLAST, welcomed the gathering and
Mr. Anver Dole Vice President of PRIL delivered the opening remarks. Mr.
Dole added that there is a sizeable number of participants from Sri
Lanka also and this this exhibition has helped show case their
capabilities to an international forum.
A highlight of ‘SRI LANKA PLAST’ is the special theme pavilion on
plastics recycling, set up by National Post Consumer Plastics Waste
Management, for the benefit of the general public. The theme pavilion
showcases new technologies for recycling of plastics. It will create
awareness on how plastics can be recycled and the need to segregate
plastic refuse at home. This section of the exhibition will be open to
the general public and school children of Grades 10 and above, while the
exhibition side is purely for business visitors.
B. Swaminathan, President and CEO of Enterprising Fairs India Pvt
Ltd, the organisers of SRI LANKA PLAST detailed on the benefits of SRI
LANKA PLAST. “There are 120 exhibitors from countries like India,
Taiwan, China, Korea, Italy of which 90 of them are from India”.
Some of the highlights of the exhibition Pix by Nissanka
Wijeratne |
He added that he was happy at such an overwhelming response for the
maiden edition itself. This only reflects the potential Sri Lanka holds
for the growth of plastics industry in the years to come. |