|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 16 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Asia's largest exhibition centre opens in May by Elmo Leonard Sri Lanka will have the largest exhibition centre in South Asia when the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre (SBMEC) is officially opened on May 17. The Centre is a gift from the Chinese government and is built at a cost of Rs 500 million. It is being built behind the BMICH premises in Colombo 7. After May 17, the BMICH will be known as the BMICH Convention Centre of Sri Lanka, it was announced to the media. The new exhibition centre is a smaller replica of the BMICH building. It will comprise 32,000 square feet, and house 170 booths. It will be equipped with a restaurant, kitchen and storage facilities. BMICH was inaugurated 30 years ago on May 17, its Director General, Bandula Ekanayake told the media conference. An International Industrial Fair will be held at the SBMEC from May 17 to 22. Another exhibition, 'Destination Sri Lanka: Gateway to South Asia,' will run concurrently at another location in Colombo. This would be the first time that two international exhibitions will be held simultaneously in Sri Lanka. The tourism exhibition is organised by the Ceylon Tourist Board and other related bodies, with the objective of boosting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. The main organiser of the industrial exhibition is the Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry (SLCSI), which has been in existence for 40 years, SLCSI President, Aloy Jayawardene said. The fair will bring Sri Lanka's main products and services under one roof. Around 40 local handicrafts manufacturers are expected to participate, National Craft Council's Adviser P.G. Ratnayake said. The event should be used to promote Sri Lankan goods and stem the flow of cheap foreign goods into the country, Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs, Ranjit Fernando said. Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry is promoting the exhibitions and German industrialists, Thailand's IT sector, and India's Karnataka State Small Industrial Sector have already confirmed participation. Jayawardene said that he would shortly visit chambers of small industries of other nations, particularly within the region, and invite them to participate. The main buyers to the exhibition would be from the Middle East, particularly from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Hatton National Bank will be the official banker for the exhibition. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
