‘Lankapack 2012’ to feature impressive international participation

The Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) yesterday announced the launch of ‘Lankapack 2012,’  the only exhibition solely dedicated for the local packaging industry to be held mid this month with the largest overseas delegation in the history of the exhibition.

With over 35 companies from India and 10 from China taking space at the exhibition as direct participants along with representations form UK, USA, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, ‘Lankapack 2012’ will be the biggest-ever packaging event in history.

To be held from 25 May to 27 at the BMICH, the international packaging exhibition is to be inaugurated by Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, SLIP President Dudley Thambinayagam said. The Lankapack Expo is being held after a lapse of five years.

In conjunction with the exhibition an International Packaging Conference has also been organised based on the theme of ‘packaging – the way ahead along with the Lanka Star Award Presentation’. The former is scheduled to be held on 24 May at Mihilaka Medura, BMICH while the latter will be held on 26 May at Cinnamon Grand Hotel. The aim of the one day conference is to enable those who are users of packaging services to educate their mangers and staff on the latest trends and developments in the industry. It will feature some of the best local and international speakers who will give much needed insights into the industry.

It will also enable those who are interested in entering the industry to gather information and thus take informed decisions. The conference will cover a wide range of technical and general topics in the field of packaging. The award ceremony will present Lanka Star trophies to those who won Lanka Stars at the Lanka Star Contest held in 2011.Thambinayagam stated that with the growth in exports as well as the growing demand for consumption in the domestic market, Sri Lanka’s packaging industry is also experiencing rapid growth. “The packaging industry in Sri Lanka is on the verge of seeing the latest trends, as the industry fraternity works diligently towards taking the industry to the next level.” On this note, the expo has been well received by both local and international participants, he said. commenting on the international participation, he stated that the overseas companies  will initially be looking at establishing themselves in the market with superior product offerings while also giving visitors the opportunity of meeting and interacting with them, and, experiencing their products.

Exhibition Organising Committee Chairman Dharmatilake Ratnayake noted that the general public must be educated on the importance of packaging industry.

“This is a lifestyle. From birth to death we engage in packaging,” he said. “It is also essential that those who use packaging get to know what the market has to offer. This includes the latest trends and developments that are available to them right here in Sri Lanka. Lankapack does just this. It will also enable the existing industry members to tie up with new players who are making their way into the market. This exhibition will be a much-needed platform for the packaging fraternity to make public the latest introductions with each show through the coming years.”

Ratnayake added, “We expect this event to be a show of great importance. The Packaging Development Centre which is a part of SLIP also contributes largely to the overall development of the industry. This is a must-visit business exhibition as the industry will uncover vast potential of Sri Lanka’s packaging industry and unveil the latest products.”

He further said, “We are very pleased with the response and more over with the growing international interest in the exhibition and the Sri Lankan market. We hope to make Lankapack an event of great importance to the regional packaging industry.

With the growing demand for packaging in the country we are on course towards taking the exhibition to greater heights in the coming years.”