Biggest packaging exhibition opens

Saturday, 19 July 2014 01:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chief Guest at the opening of Lankapack 2014 Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen takes a look at a product demonstration.

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‘Lankapack 2014,’ the biggest packaging exhibition of its kind being held for the 17th consecutive year, kicked off yesterday in Colombo. The exhibition is a focused business-to business meeting place, which brings the entire local packaging fraternity and buyers from across the country and potential regional markets under one roof. The three-day exhibition at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre (SBMICH) is organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) and MP Events Lanka. It concludes on Sunday. According to the organisers, the exhibition is heavily targeting groups of suppliers and buyers in the packaging industry this year. Foreign companies from India and Malaysia are participating in the event with 11 stalls, while the entire exhibition features around 100 stalls. The event is a platform for stakeholders in technology, innovations, supply and services in the packaging industry. Via the exhibition, SLIP hopes to further develop the industry and take it to greater heights. The packaging industry is facing many challenges today such as the energy price hike and lack of skilled labourers, vocational training programs for the industry and research facilities. Although the Government has granted duty free status for raw material exports, when adding value to the products, the local industries face high costs in converting. Those employed in the mechanical aspect of the industry such as machine operators receive low payments and as a result continuous participation in industry operations is very weak. There are no vocational training programs supported by the Government to enhance skill developments in the industry. Lack of research testing facilities, expertise and laboratory equipment are barriers in the field. Time is also nigh to recognise the packaging industry as a priority export support sector. The demand for Sri Lankan food exports is declining due to the poor quality of packaging methods, with the tea export market especially affected. The exhibition has shown steady progress in the number of exhibitors and visitors over the years, giving the event wide regional importance as it shapes up to be a flagship international trade show with large international representation this year. Founded in 1975, SLIP has played a key role in creating a nation-wide awareness of the importance of packaging, both for exports as well as in everyday life. It has brought members of the packaging community, including consumers, together to share and promote common interests and helped to keep its members abreast of rapidly-changing trends in the packaging world. At its 2014 AGM, the institute elected J.D.C. Perera as the President for 2014/2015. ‘Lanka Star Awards’ and Asian Packaging Federation Congress in Philippines are some upcoming events that SLIP will participate in this year.