Delegation of SMEs to Metalex 2010 in Bangkok

Small and Medium Enterprise Developers (SMED), a project of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung of Germany organized a delegation comprising small and medium industrialists of the country to visit the METALEX 2010, the Asia’s largest International Machine Tools and Metal Working Technologies Trade Exhibition & Conference scheduled for 24 – 27 November in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The delegation consisted of regional industrialists including Northern Province and a government representative, accompanied by S.W.B.Wijekoon, Consultant- Technical left for Thailand on 23 November.  This delegation was organized in assistance of Office of Trade Consultancy of the Thai Government’s Commerce Ministry.

The prime objectives of organizing a delegation to visit the exhibition were to gain knowledge on modern machinery equipment and technologies, contribute to industrial development in the country through SMED industrial consultancies and to create opportunities for true Sri Lankan industrialists to enjoy novel experience in overseas countries.

METALEX is the international event of the manufacturing industry.  Whilst “Machining Business to its Best” is the theme of this year, this would be the best possible networking platform for its participants in their respective industries.

This exhibition is the largest of its nature; the largest of Asia’s international machinery and metal working exhibitions.  METALEX, the one-stop-shop exhibition which provides visitors with a unique technological experience, expects 3900 new machinery and technologies from 2600 exhibitors representing 50 countries.  The exhibition further extends its portfolio of service through forums and seminars that will undoubtedly help developing fruitful market linkages.

An awareness programme was conducted for the delegation at the FCCISL recently and Federation’s newly appointed President Tissa Jayaweera also participated at the programme.  He said that the measures will be taken in order to widen the services rendered entrepreneurs through SMED, the pioneer in SME entrepreneurship development, and thereby to take SME industrialists to further heights in the future. Also, SMED plans to carry out a follow up mechanism for future developments after obtaining information about the advantages, benefits and market linkages received as a result of visiting the exhibition. The delegation is scheduled to return home on 29 November.