The New Nation - Internet Edition

pavilion at DITF

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

Sri Lankan Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof GL Pieris visited the Sri Lanka- Bangladesh friendship pavilion at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) recently.

During the visit, the Sri Lankan minister said both the countries should try and explore more avenues to develop bilateral trade.

He said Sri Lanka is on the verge of getting a peaceful politic atmosphere after ongoing success of the government forces over the Tamil Tigers and Bangladesh getting a newly elected government after two long years. Both countries stand on the juncture of a new beginning.

He pointed out that despite constraints Bangladesh witnessed a 13 percent growth in its export while it was 15 percent for Sri Lanka in November 2008.

He also mentioned about the Grameen Bank models being adopted by Sri Lanka to boost the microcredit sector. He lauded the role of the SME sector in economic development and laid emphasis on assisting the sector with capital for their growth.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh V Krishnamoorthy, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman Mohammad Shahabullah, Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLBCCI) acting President Harikesha Wijesekera, Treasure Lalindra Wijekoon, Fair Organising Committee Chief Coordinator Tanvir Asan and other high officials of EPB, Sri Lankan High Commission and SLBCCI were present during the visit.

The Sri Lankan minister went round the friendship pavilion that houses stalls of 24 companies.

He enquired about the response that the companies receive at the fair and thanked their management for their participation. Sri Lanka is the partner country to the DITF-2009.