16th edition of ProFood, ProPack and AgBiz Expo opens

By Saranie Wijesinghe 

Sri Lanka’s largest food, packaging and agricultural expo kicked off yesterday at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall, giving a fresh impetus to the industry’s efforts to enhance growth. 

The exhibition has over 300 companies participating. Organised by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association together with Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services, the ProFood, ProPack and AgBiz Exhibition will be held until 6 August and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Over 30,000 visitors are expected to visit the exhibition.

The Chief Guest at the opening Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressed the efforts towards improving micro and SMEs, which make up more than 40% in the food processing sector. 

Employing around 1.5 million people, the sector is highly significant in the economy, the Minister said adding that his Ministry had allocated close to Rs. 195 billion this year to enhance the country’s food sector.

He also announced plans for the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first-ever food laboratory for SMEs as the centre for food analysis and safety, a project managed by the Industrial Development Board and which will cost up to Rs. 140 million. 

All programs are conducted to develop the small scale food industries and provide all ventures with equal access to equipment and technology. Rs. 16 million has also been allocated for industrial productivity, market improvement and sustainability programs in Sri Lanka. 

“These efforts are a part of our bigger plan to link this sector to our exports,” he stated, emphasising the potential prospects in the food sector in Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association President Malik De Alwis said the aim of the exhibition was to link vendors, buyers and visitors in furthering the food industries in Sri Lanka. He further highlighted the vitality of the agriculture sector, a key input in food processing and the efforts through the SL Gap Initiative and Skills Development Program, driven by the National Agri Business Council, in encouraging local farmers to produce high quality inputs to the industry. 

Recognising the rapidly-growing tourist markets, the exhibition provides optimum exposure for local and foreign vendors alike, to showcase sustainable and healthy food products on a platform that has attracted the attention of global consumers over the past 15 years.

The exhibition displays all facets of the food and beverage industry, including processing and manufacturing equipment, packaging and labelling technologies, representatives from giant names in the food sectors alongside emerging entrepreneurs, food publications and even open air cooking stations. 

The exhibition also features the research and innovations of students from several local universities in the ‘Innovative Pavilion’ and access to the European organic market at the ‘GIZ Organic Pavilion’. Moreover, pavilions for delegations from China, India, Malaysia and Thailand are also featured.