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| Sunday, 8 September 2002 |
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Rs. 50 m trade promotion centre mooted: International profile for local products A permanent Exhibition and Trade Promotion Centre will be opened at the Salusala Headquarters at a cost of Rs 50 million as a public private sector partnership. Termed the "Sri Lanka Expo Centre", it is intended to promote Sri Lankan manufacturers and exports, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake told the Sunday Observer. This will be built on the lines of similar complexes in developed countries, where buyers and sellers can meet in a relaxed atmosphere and clinch deals. The target groups would be international buyers, buying houses and representatives of consumer chain stores, said the Minister. The Centre will help raise the profile of Lankan goods in the eyes of international buyers and boost exports. The centre will be managed by a special committee comprising representatives from the private and public sector. It will have up-to-date facilities for buyers and sellers. The day-to-day operation of the centre will be contracted to separate management companies and their activities will be supervised by the committee. The permanent exhibition centre will house identical exhibition booths displaying Sri Lankan products. The booths will be rented on an annual basis to the private sector. Companies must have company profiles and product briefs in addition to displayed items. The 20,000 square meter exhibition centre can be used for holding exhibitions. It is expected to hold product specific exhibitions every month in addition to holding two exhibitions per year promoting all sectors and products Sri Lanka can offer. The convention centre will provide facilities to hold meetings, conventions and one-to-one negotiations. The Trade Facilitation Centre will house a secretariat representing all government organisations and trade chambers under one roof. Persons representing Sri Lanka Customs, EDB, BOI and the Ministry of Commerce will be permanently stationed there. The Centre is expected to be a fillip to Lanka's campaign to become a leading Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions market in South Asia. (SG) |
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