'inco 2014' opens on Friday

The industrial exposition on the industrial and engineering sectors of Sri Lanka, 'inco 2014' will be held at the BMICH from June 27 to 29 for the 12th time.

Below is an interview with the President of the Institute of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka, Benedict K. Ulluwishewa.

Q: Can you clarify the importance of this year's inco exhibition?

A: Three hundred and fifty industrialists representing all sectors of the industrial sector such as small, medium scale industrialists and large scale industrialists are participating.

As a large number of new inventions and technology is exhibited at this exposition, this is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for industrialists and others because the participants are constantly updating technology.

Q: Is this exhibition limited only to local industrialists?

A: No. Other than local industrialists, several overseas large scale industrialists are participating in this exhibition.

Q: Though inco 2014 belongs more to the industrial sphere, you call this an educational exhibition for the whole family?

A: Yes. I call it a family educational exhibition because, when a family goes to see this exhibition, there are separate and group experiences husband, wife and children can enjoy and derive knowledge from.

Q: What are the main objectives of conducting such an exhibition?

A: The major problem facing the small and medium scale industrialists in this country is finding a market for their products. Their best means of finding a solution for this problem is participating in the inco exhibition.

The membership of our institution is more than 10,000. All of them are Incorporated Engineers. They are directly involved in the industrial sphere. That is why the inco exhibition has become a common platform where industrialists can meet entrepreneours and ordinary customers.

The other main objective is inculcating an interest in the various sectors of the engineering sphere in young children.

There are many exhibits of interest to children at the exhibition.

Q: What do you expect from that?

A: Many people think that without passing the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination and entering a University it is not possible to become an Engineer. There is no truth in that.

At the inco exhibition youth involved in various industries, having aptitude in inventing and with industrial experience but not been to a university, can find out the ways and means of upgrading their educational backgrounds to be recognised internationally in the engineering sphere.