First-ever trade exhibition:

SITE 2014, a fillip for the South

By Shirajiv Srimane

Minister Alahapperuma with some of the invitees

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahappe-ruma addressing a ceremony to inaugurate the SITE 2014

Postal Services Deputy Minister Sanath Jayasuriya and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma in conversa-tion with the participants

The government and private sector have reached great heights in the last decade thanks to the friendly economic environment created by the government and the infrastructure that provided for businesses to grow said Minister of Youth and Skills Development Dullas Allahapperuma.

Speaking at the opening of the first Southern International Trade Exhibition (SITE 2014), he said that the last Central Bank report stated that while the economy grew by an average 8% the private sector too grew by 10.7%. This was quantified in the world doing business index where Sri Lanka was placed 127 in 2005 and last year it improved to 74th position.

"This clearly dispel the myth that the SLFP governments had not being Private sector friendly," he said.

Minister said that the trade exhibition for the first time saw foreing participants and the main reason for this was the opening of the highway and extending it to Matara,

He added that it had 45 years since independence to build a highway while all other countries which had gained independence had built more highways than Sri Lanka.

"Its sad to say that Sri Lanka had built only two major roadways, Raja Mawatha and the Ella Wellwaya road linking two major distracts until the last six years.

This exhibition the first of its kind to be held in the South will conclude tomorrow at the Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium, Matara.

The exhibition comes in the wake of massive infrastructure development projects combined with resurgence in the many industries which have been a vibrant part of the Southern economy.

CDC Events together with the Matara District Chamber of Commerce and Industry have initiated the exhibition to ensure a potent meeting place for all businessmen, investors, industry leaders, consumers and all other stakeholders through this Exhibition.

The exhibition which is set to revolutionise the mode in which business is conducted in the South, will be the best and most comprehensive platform to explore potential markets with vast potentials or growth, meet and engage directly with industry leaders and businessmen in the South.

This event will also take forward and give exposure to the SME sector and its products and services to the rest of the country and the region at large.

Parallel to the exhibition an investor forum targeting foreign and expatriate investors will be held to project the South as one of the best destinations for investment with a conducive environment.

The exhibition will also witness industry specific forums targeting the many diverse industries that exist in the South together with a port forum to showcase the centrality of Galle and Hambantota as sea ports, and to project Hambantota as the maritime hub of South East Asia.

Imran Hassan one of Sri Lanka's pioneers in the MICE industry and the main organiser of the event is of the belief that this event will open new horizons for the economy in the South.

"Matara is the meeting point and the most central location of the South spanning from crossing of the Benthara river Hambantota. We believe that the exhibition will provide a boost to the region which is witnessing unparalleled developments both in terms of infrastructure and economy. SITE 2014 is set to broaden the horizons and provide an opportunity to all stakeholders to explore and expand on the amazing potential that South possesses" he said.