Northern polls will boost development and investments, chamber says
Provincial Council elections being held in Jaffna next month for the very first time in history will pave the way for major developments and investments, according to Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam Chairman, K. Pooranachandran.
Speaking at this week’s launch in Colombo of the Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), he said the polls will help develop the region. “JITF had been held for four consecutive years and it has paved the way to improve the economy of Jaffna and the trade links between businessmen from Colombo and other suburbs and businessmen in Jaffna, to a higher level,” he added.
Mr. Pooranachandran noted that out of the infrastructure developments the government has made across the country, 27 per cent was made in Jaffna within the last year which is similar to that in Hambantota. The government is keen in developing the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector which is expected to kick off soon after the polls are over.
The fifth edition of JITF is scheduled to be held on January 17-19 at the Durayappah stadium in Jaffna. The exhibition has throughout the years been renowned as the best and most potent platform for the meeting of investors, businesses and the masses in the region.
Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) Director, Imran Hassan said, “We have planned to introduce a new segment at the fifth edition of the JITF which is the ‘Made in Jaffna pavilion’.
We are expecting to have more than 250 stalls and 50,000 visitors. There will be local and foreign exhibitors showcasing their own products. Several business and investment forums and one-on-one business meetings would also be held with foreign chambers in the North during the exhibition”.
The exhibition last year drew a record number of visitors with each exhibitor achieving well beyond their expected targets in terms of all indicators. The massive infrastructure development currently underway in the region has also paved the way for many investment opportunities in the region which could not be afforded previously.
Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Secretary, V. Sivagnanasothy said there is a lot of infrastructure, livelihood, social, business and industrial developments taking place within Jaffna. The region would become a wonder of Sri Lanka and one of the tourist destinations within a couple of years.
Roads, electricity, bridges and all other core facets are currently being developed in the government’s endeavour to ensure the region is on par with many of the best business and lifestyle destinations in the world, he said.
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