Ruhunu Expo, a boon for exporters

From Jayampathy JAYASINGHE in Hambantota

The Ruhunu Expo known as the Gamin Lowata Export Trade Exhibition got off the ground last week at the Tzu Chi National School, Hambantota amid a carnival atmosphere where schoolchildren and village folk flocked to get a glimpse of the products exhibited at the stalls.

Several ministers including Minister of Port Development, Airport Services, Irrigation and Water Management, Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G. L. Peiris and Minister of Export Development Cegu Isadeen officiated at the inaugural ceremony.

There were 175 trade stalls at the Tzu Chi National School built following the tsunami disaster. The products on display were textiles, indigenous medicinal products, herbal tea, fruits, vegetables and ornamental fish.

The Export Trade Fair was organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the Ministry of Export Development.

The concept was the brainchild of Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris to uplift the rural economy. The Ruhunu Expo is aimed at opening avenues for producers in the South and Sabaragamuwa to export their produce to the global market.

Brainchild

"We visited the stall of Indunil Danuska who works for Green Way Asia Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. He said his company was involved in exporting processed cadju nuts to the Middle East and Europe. The processed and value added cadju nuts includes devilled, hot and spiced and salted ones.

There is a big demand for cadju nuts in the European countries, but the demand cannot be met due to the short supply of the crop. Too much of rain this year had affected the crop. He said buyers in Europe insist on quality certificates when exporting. "Last year we exported around 40 tonnes of cadju nuts but, this year the yield had dropped due to heavy rain in the growing areas. He said the cadju nuts purchased from the Pettah market is unfit for export owing to the nuts being pasted with a chemical."

Nandana Sumith Wijewardena who works as a supervisor for Angel Aquarium at Piliyandala said there was a great demand for ornamental fish overseas.

The ornamental fish is exported to EU countries but due to the dearth of fish the demand cannot be met. The company's fish farms are at Lunugamvehera, Ingiriya and Bandaragama, he said. The company provides ornamental fish to unemployed persons in rural areas and purchases them later for export.

Overseas markets

Kalum who works for International Food Stuff Company (Pvt) said the company exports vegetables and fruits to overseas markets. The company owned model vegetable farms are in Embilipitiya, Hungama, Panamure, Sooriyawewa, Gampola, Gampaha and Nuwara Eliya. Dragon fruit being a cash crop was grown in the Dry Zone for the export market. A kilogram of Dragon fruit fetches around Rs. 450. The fruit is widely consumed by persons afflicted with diabetes and cholesterol. The fruit was introduced to Sri Lanka about five years ago. The fruit was grown in a 150 acre farm at Sooriyawewa, Thanamalwila and Kataragama in a 50-acre farm.

Palitha Perera who works for Mansuva Products (Pvt) Ltd said his company is an ISO certified company in Dompe. The company manufactures 60 indigenous medicinal products including a herbal oil that prevents hair falling prematurely. Herbal tea too was introduced in the local market for those afflicted with heart related diseases.

Nishan Navaratne who works for Bedro Exports (Pvt) Ltd, said his company was involved in exporting dehydrated products such as Ash plantains, Bitter gourd, Jak, Brinjals, plantains, Karapincha, fruits and vegetables. The dehydrated food products can be preserved for more than a year. "All we have to do is to soak it in water for about half an hour and then cook it ," This is most suited for those who live in foreign countries," he said.

Curd chillies

Nishan also explained about a new dish called the Curd Chillies which has a demand in European countries. Green Chillies immersed in Curd is dehydrated and then packed for export. There were also packed dehydrated stringhoppers for Sri Lankan expatriates. The company had commenced business a few months ago, he said.

Minister Chamal Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Awards were distributed among several industrialists and exporters who performed well during last year.

Visitors at the spice stall. The spices are exported in different shaped containers	Workers  manufacturing shoes
Navy officers explain a point about their equipment	Traditional sweetmeats being prepared