All set for new chapter in exports as Expo 2012 opens today at Bmich

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s top international export show will be revived today (28 March) after a lapse of over 15 years, opening a new chapter in the country’s push to boost exports.

An upbeat Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said that the country was thankful for the stakeholders who helped achieve this feat.

“I thank our export community and all our international trade partners for our export success. Their cooperation bodes well for the next milestone in our exports -$ 20 b by 2020,” he said, adding “Everything is ready for Expo 2012 to take off.”

“India led our top 10 global trade partners’ list in 2011 with$ 4,873 m bilateral trade, followed by the US, China, Singapore, Iran, UK, Japan, Italy, Germany and Hong Kong. As for the year-on-year growth rates from 2010 to2011, Iran led with 76% gain in 2011 followed by Japan (66%) and India (62%),”Minister Bathiudeen revealed. “But our thanks are to all out trade partners, the top and the rest as well,” he added.

Sri Lanka Expo 2012, organised by the Export Development Board, will be ceremoniously opened at the BMICH by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will go on until 31 March.

The show was originally scheduled as a tradeshow for two days but the Government, realising the importance of the event, upgraded it to a national event led by a Cabinet Ministerial Committee and extended it to four days. This allowed the organisers to bring in a symposium on exports attended by international experts and also a dedicated SME segment, thereby acknowledging the importance of this sector in Sri Lanka’s export strategy.

The EDB said over 1,300 from 55 countries have already registered for participation. There will be 350 stalls from large companies and a further 60 from the small and medium sector, showcasing a wide range of products and services for export.

Among the 12 international level speakers addressing the symposium are Ian D. Ogilvie (Head, Business Services, HSBC Global Services Delivery), Mark Harries (General Manager, Technology Services, London Stock Exchange, LSE Group), Michael J. Delaney (Assistant US Trade Representative of South and Central Asia) and Jean-Marie Paugam (Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre, Geneva).