Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition to take place in September

Chief Minister Eastern Province Z.A Nazir Ahmed delivering a speech during a press conference regarding the Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition, at Hotel Taj Samudra on 15 June 2016 in Colombo. Batticaloa District Chamber President S. Ahilan, Lanka Exhibition and conferences Services Ltd Managing Director Arjun Dharamadasa , National Enterprises Development Authority Chairman Omar Kamil and Lanka Exhibitions and Conferences Services Ltd CEO Asim Mukhtar were also present. Pic by Gitika Talukdar

By Shannine Daniel

The third edition of the Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition (BITE) is to take place from the 30th of September to the 2nd of October 2016 organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd (LECS) together with the Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (BDCCIA).

This year’s exhibition will see the participation of over 200 companies from Sri Lanka, and a number of other countries such as India and China. 

Over 300 stalls will display an assortment of various products and services from the Construction, Hospitality,  Automobile, ICT, Travel and  Tourism, Food, Beverage and Packing , Financial Services, Apparel and Textile, Agricultural sectors to name a few. Special discounts will be offered on over 1000 products available at the exhibition as well. 

Eastern Province Chief Minister Naseer Ahamed declared that BITE 2016 will be a launching pad for businesses seeking entry into the Eastern Province and consolidate the existing businesses.

This large scale exhibition was one of the most recognised events that took place in the eastern region after three decades of war and was a major platform to develop the lifestyle in the East.

Over 60,000 people are expected to attend this year’s exhibition which will be held at the Shivananda Vidyalaya Grounds in Batticaloa. Special business delegations from business communities in Batticaloa and surrounding areas will have access to all the visiting exhibitors for joint ventures and partnerships. 

The minister invited businesses to ‘come and see for themselves’ the current situation in the east and assess the investment opportunities, investment environment, the commercial market and the economic opportunities available. 

“BITE 2016 will give you an opportunity to learn about the economic efforts being made by the people in the east. We are trying to formulate sound economic policies and provide broad business opportunities, in the east,” Ahamed asserted. 

Furthermore Ahamed stated that since inception, BITE has been providing a large portion of revenue for local and international companies through business opportunities presented at the expo.

Speaking about the current situation in the eastern region the minister said: “Since the end of the war the eastern region has undergone a broad reconstitution program. We are working very closely with the central government and we want to take serious steps and achieve progress so that our efforts benefit not only the people of the eastern province but the rest of the Sri Lankan people as well.”

He went on to say that recently the prime minister revealed the government’s plans for investment and development in the east which will provide massive business and investment prospects. 

“Our goal is to reconstruct the region and encourage economic and social development together with the public-private partnerships. We place a great of importance on partnership and cooperation between the government and the private sector to encourage economic and social development. This is because we believe that economic ties create a strong basis for consolidating ethnic reconstitution,” he stated. 

He went on to say that the support of the BDCCIA has been crucial in providing a wider spectrum of business prospects for the private sector. 

“We are confident that the Batticaloa region is open for business as a ‘gateway for all businesses’,” stated Ahamed.

-Pic by Gitika Talukdar