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| Sunday, 27 April 2003 |
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INTRAD 2003 expected to forge fruitful JVs by Elmo Leonard INTRAD 2003, the investment-oriented exhibition and convention, would be the most important business event in Sri Lanka this year, according to the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), which organises the event. The theme of this year's exhibition would be 'Regaining Sri Lanka - Invest in Our Infrastructure'. President NCCSL Asoka Gunasekera told a media conference that this theme is fitting when the country is in dire need of infrastructure following 20 years of civil strife. INTRAD 2003 is scheduled to take place at the new BMICH premises from September 5 to 7. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has congratulated the organisers for conceiving the exhibition and investor forum which follows, at a time Sri Lanka is seeking the assistance of donors, multilateral agencies and investors to rebuild its economy. He has said that the NCCSL has undertaken an enormous task. The Premier expects this exhibition to forge many fruitful joint ventures between foreign companies and the local public and private sectors. Past President NCCSL Thilak de Zoysa said that INTRAD 2002 attracted over 100 exhibitors and over 80 foreign visitors from 12 countries. NCCSL expects investors interested in establishing themselves in South Asia to participate. Local and foreign companies who could provide support services to potential investors such as contractors, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, law firms and accounting firms are also expected to participate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is playing a lead role in luring investors into the country, Secretary to the Ministry Nihal Rodrigo said. Many other ministries have pledged assistance to the event. The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the Bureau of Infrastructure Investment, Sri Lankan embassies abroad and the NCCSL's network of affiliated chambers in other parts of the world would assist in sourcing investors, the media conference was told. Ten sectors have been identified for exhibitors and investors. They are transport (air, land and sea); information and communication technology; power and energy; tourism; housing and construction; agriculture and rural development; banking and insurance; health services; educational services; and environment services. The organisers expect INTRAD 2003 to provide potential investors with a comprehensive detailed insight into the high value investment opportunities available in the country with a view to attracting foreign direct investment, joint ventures and transfer of technology. The event is also expected to create an environment where investors could interact with potential partners such as equipment providers, procurement contractors, construction contractors, operational and maintenance contractors, commercial banks, financial institutions and insurance companies, needed for their work in Sri Lanka. NCCSL also intends that INTRAD would provide an opportunity to investors in the infrastructure sector to exhibit their products, services and technology. Another objective is to boost tourism by promoting Sri Lanka's image. A website for INTRAD 2003 was also launched at the news conference. |
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