New avenues for cooperation through SAARC Trade Fair and Investment Forum 2017

The annual SAARC Trade Fair and Investment Forum geared to pave way for economic and social cooperation between its member states of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be held in Colombo in September.

Organised by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and MP Events Lanka Ltd., the trade fair and investment forum will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre and Hilton Colombo respectively.

The launch and press conference regarding the trade fair and investment forum was held at Hilton Colombo under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Suraj Vaidya.

The SAARC Trade Fair 2017 is scheduled to take place from 7-9 September and will kick off with the investment forum and many more features such as exhibition stalls, forums and policy discussions, business to business meetings, cultural shows and tourism stalls for each country. 

The fair will feature products such as machinery, handicraft, textile and readymade garments, household and kitchen appliances, electronic and electrical items,  upholstery related products, health and fitness items, gift items, ceramic and sanitary fittings, food and processed foods, auto parts and vehicles, gem and jewellery and much more.

Meanwhile, the Investment Forum 2017 will take place on 6 September and the platform will allow both local and foreign influential investors an opportunity to engage in cross border investments. It will welcome over 250 investors and influential figures such as local and foreign investors and entrepreneurs, fund managers, chairmen and CEOs, owners of enterprises, representatives of global trade associations an international development agencies and officers of Government investment authorities. The event will also showcase and demonstrate business opportunities related to renewable energy, tourism, real estate and manufacturing and the opportunity to meet with influential figures in the above fields. 

Established in 1985, the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a mandate to ensure that core economic issues within and between member states are studied and managed. “The event is launched under the theme ‘Unleashing South Asia’ signifying the importance of regional cooperation in terms of economic and social development to ensure that the SAARC region has significant impact on the South Asian and global economies,” said Vaidya.

Partnering with the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sri Lanka, the apex body of chambers and associations of commerce and industry here, will facilitate this event. 

“We are indeed delighted with the partnerships that has come forth to implement this event and FCCISL looks forward to further empower Sri Lankan businesses through this endeavour by creating trade and investment opportunities within SAARC member states,” stated Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka President Sarath Kahapalaarchchi.

In an effort to promote Sri Lanka as lucrative ground for investment and trade, MP Events Lanka will handle the management of the SAARC Trade Fair and Investment Forum this year. The company has to its name the distinction of handling many large-scale industries, trade and investment related trade fairs and forums over the last two decades, many of which have been a first in the country.

If interested in showcasing products or services at the Trade Fair, stalls will be priced at $ 855 + taxes while registration fees for the SAARC Investment Forum will be priced at $ 125 + taxes for foreign participants, and $ 100 + taxes for local participants. Early bird registration offers will grant interested parties 15% off the fee for all registrations done on or before 30 June for the investment forum. For more information please contact 0112366996 or visit www.fccisl.lk.