B'caloa sets the stage for BITE

Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition 2011 (BITE) will be held from October 7-9 at the Webber Stadium, Batticaloa.

It is organised by Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd in partnership with the Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce under the guidance of the National Enterprise Development Authority, an arm of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

The exhibition will have 300 stalls with a special segment on education known as Kalvi and the organisers are expecting over 400,000 visitors during the three days.

President Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture V. Ranjithamoorthy and Director LECS Imran Hassan Exchange the MoU while DG National Enterprise Development Authority Amir Ali looks on. Pic: Kavindra Perera.

BITE 2011, the most comprehensive and focused exhibition after many years will bring in a large amount of industries together. Construction, agriculture, food, beverage, packaging, information and communication technology, travel, tourism, automobile and the hospitality industry and showcase them on a single stage.

Batticaloa, the unofficial capital of the east is the home of many an industry and is considered the focal point of trade and one of the main access points to the Ampara, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa and Badulla districts in their day to day trading.

President of the Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture V. Ranjithamoorthy said that earlier it was a prosperous district. As peace has dawned the need is to link Batticaloa with all other districts in the country.

He said that as a prelude to BITE 2011 a mini exhibition with 60-80 stalls was held. The organisers expected about 30,000 visitors but there were over 50,000 visitors. BITE will open many opportunities to link producers and buyers as well as Battticaloa with other districts in the country. It is an opportunity to showcase Batticaloa's potential.

Ranjithamoorthy said that the government has done its best and provided all infrastructure facilities which includes a good road network and telephones.

Director LECS Imran Hassan said that the city itself is the hub and with the mega development projects implemented in the area there is a great demand for suppliers.

"It is this gap that we are trying to fill by facilitating this initiative."

The industries centre on agriculture and fishing which contribute vastly to the economy.

The eastern population thrives on these industries and considers them to be the most vital factor for economic growth.

Tourism is also a major industry with the Kalladi Beach, the Lagoon of the Singing Fish, and Arugam Bay being the most sought after destinations in the vicinity.

The Nilaweli Beach in Trincomalee, Minneriya National Park, the Habarana National Park, and the Lahugala and Gal oya National Parks all centre around the beautiful and bustling city of Batticaloa.

The economic potential of the lagoon and its surroundings - the hub for the fisheries and the agriculture industries, together with the potential for the tourist and hospitality industries are yet to be fully realised. The government backed mega development projects such as Nagenahira Navodaya has brought in a breath of fresh air to the east.

The private sector has moved in and has commenced work on many development projects and services that have brought a sense of stability and sustainability to the east.

The, district consists of a diverse population representing a model of the island's ethnic groups. Tamils, Moors, Sinhalese, Euro-Asians Burghers and the indigenous Veddahs are all a part and parcel of the district.

The Eastern University of Sri Lanka, in Vantharumoolai 16 km north of Batticaloa founded in 1980 is considered the cradle of education for youth, in one of the most industrialised areas of Island. The lagoon is famous internationally for its 'singing fish,' (supposedly shell-fish which give forth musical notes.)

SG