Sri Lanka opens mega trade exhibition

Sri Lanka's president opened a trade and investment exhibition here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Commonwealth leaders' summit that also showcases strong presence from Chinese companies. As many as 42 Chinese companies are represented at the exhibition, which hopes to improve trade between different countries. A total of 81 countries and regions are showcased at the venue. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the exhibition. Buyer delegations from South Africa, China, India and Iran will also be visiting the exhibition. Business to business meetings and factory visits will be facilitated at the exhibition ground. The international participants have enlisted through online registration and through the Sri Lankan missions in their respective countries. According to Sri Lanka's Export Development Board (EDB), 579 local exhibitors in small and medium industries, tourism, trade and investment have already come forward to enlist for the trade exposition, consisting of 355 exporters and 200 small and medium exhibitors and 24 local machinery exhibitors. "CHOGM and all connected meetings have been made to strengthen the opportunities for broadening the tourism industry and investment opportunities of Sri Lanka," Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told reporters. A 100-member trade delegation from China is also in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).