‘Mannar Divineguma to revive regional industries, 8000 visitors expected’: Rishad

More than 8000 visitors are expected at the Divineguma exhibition to be held in Mannar. The show will focus on reviving industries, specially cottage, in the region.

“Many families in the area will be given the opportunity to become self-sufficient and event become suppliers of farm and livestock produce at micro level by this exhibition,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the seventh high level planning session held at Mannar DS Office premises on 8 January on the forthcoming Divineguma show to be held in Mannar on 21 and 22 January. The special session saw the participation of top officials, department heads and statutory institutional heads from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Youth Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises (with IDB), Ministry of Economic Development and Science and Technology Ministry.

After the session that lasted more than one hour, Minister Bathiudeen said: “We expect more than 8000 visitors from the area, including students for this top exhibition. We will showcase many livelihood support and enhancement options for backyard economic improvement as per the committed efforts of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa under the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

Minister Bathiudeen also reiterated that the Mannar Divineguma is an ideal opportunity to kick-off and revive the industrial base in the region.

Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said: “We expect to create awareness for village level families in the area on running cottage industries and facilities we offer for micro and medium scale cottage entrepreneurs. This exhibition will also be a machinery and equipment exhibition and we will also highlight spot in the production process where the machinery comes into manufacturing.”

Meanwhile, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Tilak Collure, addressing the gathering, said: “I am happy to see the commitment of the officials of various Ministries towards the forthcoming Mannar Divineguma exhibition. We believe that your efforts will strongly assist in reviving the rural household economy in Mannar as outlined in the rural development concepts of Mahinda Chinthana.”

The initial one million home gardens, livestock, poultry, fisheries and one million domestic economic units target under this programme as proposed by the 2011 budget proposals, has now been increased to 2.5 million by the budget proposals of 2012. The programme is considered as a “strong pillar in the Mahinda Chinthana Vision for the Future” and is being implemented under five line ministries, including the Industry and Commerce Ministry.

The Export Development Board (EDB) and the National Entrepreneurs Development Authority (NEDA) of the Industry and Commerce Ministry contribute to the programme according to the vested subject areas.