A joint Trade, Tourism and Investment exhibition parallel to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has been organized to be held from 13th to 17th November at the Janakala Kendraya in Battaramulla in Colombo under the title “Reflection of Sri Lanka”.
This exhibition has been jointly organized by the Ministries of Economic Development, Industry and Commerce and Investment Promotion. More than 300 Sri Lankan exporters including 75 machinery exporters and 100 technology providers and 200 SMEs will showcase their products at this mega exhibition.
At a media conference held at the Centre for Media Development of the Information this morning, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mr. Susantha Punchinilame said that holding of Commonwealth Heads of Summit (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka will provide the opportunity for Heads of States, Business delegations and the international journalist to find the true situation about Sri Lanka at a time malicious propaganda are being carried out about the country by anti-national elements. He said that the Economic Development Ministry in collaboration with other Ministries has planned to get the maximum benefit out of the CHOGM.
Minister of Investment Promotion Mr. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene addressing the media conference criticized the stance of the opposition about CHOGM despite it is being an event beneficial to the people of this country. He said that when Sri Lanka was nominated as the host country the opposition claimed that Heads of States will not come to the country and even tried to prevent them coming for the Summit. Finally when almost all the Heads of States have confirmed their participation, the Minister said that they are now criticizing about the expenditure. He said that all infrastructure development being carried out is part of the ongoing development process since a long time and there is nothing new in these activities.
The Minister said that the Board of Investment is planning to get foreign investments increased to 10 million U.S.$ within the next 4 years as a result of the CHOGM. He said that the BOI will present 56 Investment Proposals to the Heads of States and the participants of the Business Forum.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Rishard Badiuddin said that CHOGM is a landmark event and the Reflection of Sri Lanka Exhibition will present more than 300 Sri Lankan products to the foreign visitors. He said that more than 1,000 buyers are expected to attend CHOGM and its related events and the Exhibition has been organized to focus their attention on products and other facilities and investment potentials available in Sri Lanka. He said that the CHOGM will crate the background for Sri Lanka to increase its exports to 20 Million US$ by 2020.
Details of the Exhibition arrangements that have been made by the Export Development Board and the Tourism Promotion Authority were made by the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mr. Bandula Egodade and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Mr. Bashwara Gunaratne. The Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Mr. Anura Siriwardene also spoke at the Media Conference. The Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Dr. Charita Herath and the Director General of the Government Information Depart Professor Ariyaratne Atugala also attended the Media Conference.
