Small scale rural industrialists:

Disappointed over insecure market

Small scale rural industrialists said that they are unable to sell their products due to the absence of a secured market and added that if the situation persists they will have to give up their occupation.

They said that it is only at a national exhibition that they get an opportunity to exhibit their products and meet buyers.

“It has been often rhetoric by officials rather than genuine implementation of programs to develop the rural industries. Programs at grass roots level are needed to revive ailing industries to boost the rural economy”, a handicraft exhibitor said.

The plight of the industrialists were revealed at the Handicrafts and Rural Industries Exhibition held at the BMICH. A highlight of this year’s handicrafts exhibition was the inclusion of products of the small and medium scale industrialists who exhibited a wide variety of items that would certainly fetch a good price at international markets.

Confectionary, garments, soft toys, ornamental products, batiks, horticulture. electrical items and many other handicrafts were on display at the exhibition.

A senior official of the National Handicrafts Council said rural industrialists anxiously wait for such programs to showcase their skills and secure a market that would help sustain their livelihood.

Exhibitors for the national program are selected from competitions held at district level and prizes are given under Gold, Silver and national categories. The exhibition covers the nine provinces enabling a wider participation across the country. The prime objective of the mega event is to promote and secure markets for local industries.

The Ministry of Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion plans to set up more industrial villages in key locations across the country. The Sigiriya Industrial zone is a shot in the arm for tourism related industries. The three-day exhibition will conclude today.

LF