India Investrade 2012 on ‘Realty Construction and Construction Materials’ a huge success

Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkatta organised ‘India Investrade 2012: An exposition and Buyer Seller Meet on Realty Construction and Construction Materials’ from 26-28 April at BMICH, Colombo. The event was organised with the support of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and in association with Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, Government of Sri Lanka, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Fifty Indian companies participated in the exposition showcasing their profile in building materials, construction equipment and technologies, electrical and sanitary fittings, flooring and roofing material landscaping, consultancy, property development, financial service for construction. The Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, Government of Sri Lanka, Board of Investment, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka also put up their stalls at the exhibition.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the Exhibition held on 28 April, Indian Chamber of Commerce Director General Dr. Rajeev Singh said that India Investrade 2012 in Colombo was a huge success. Both the Indian and Sri Lankan businessmen found the exhibition very useful. Elaborating on the outcome, Dr. Singh said that preliminary estimates indicate that Indian companies have received trade queries over 70 million USD in a span of two days. He was very upbeat on the prospects of future cooperation and indicated the willingness of the Indian Chamber of Commerce to participate in forthcoming Construction Expo 2012 to be held in Colombo from June-July 2012.

The three day event comprised of exhibition, conference and buyer-seller meet. The purpose of the event was to promote and facilitate trade and business engagement in construction and construction material sector, provide a platform to introduce the Indian entrepreneurs with their Sri Lankan counterparts and promote the process of business engagement, exchange of ideas and facilitate G2G, G2B and B2B interaction on various issues pertaining to the construction industry of both the countries.

On 27-28 April, technical sessions were organised for the benefit of delegates from both sides with the participation of representatives from National Institute of Construction Management and Research, India; Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India; Central Public Works Department of India; Central Engineering Construction Bureau, Sri Lanka; Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka, Institute of Construction Training and Development, Sri Lanka; Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; Indian Chamber of Commerce; National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka; National Construction Association of Sri Lanka; State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka; IL and FS, India and delegates from both sides.

It may be recalled that the inaugural programme of the exhibition on 26 April at BMICH was graced by Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha, Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Deputy Minister of Higher Education Nandimithra Ekanayake.

The event was also attended by President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Kumar Mallimaratchi, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka Deputy President Sunil Wijesinha, Indian Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Rajiv Mundra and Indian Chamber of Commerce Director General, Dr. Rajeev Singh.

The members of the Indian delegation called on Deputy Minister Alagiyawanna and had discussion with various departments and institutions under his Ministry. He had one to one meeting with several representatives Indian companies on 27 April, 2012 at BMICH. A special presentation was organised by Ministry of Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities on 28 April for the Indian delegates. The Indian delegates also met the officials of Urban Development Authority and Road Development Authority. Several B2B were held during the exposition over the three days.