Over 300 businesses will showcase their products and services at a major trade exhibition in Badulla, the main town of the Uva Province, from December 28 to January 1, 2017.
Named UVA Expo 2016 ‘Endless Inspiration’, the exhibition and carnival is aimed at promoting relations among business communities and also promote the economic, trade, investment and tourism potential in the province.
Uva is a vibrant travel destination with diverse attractions, from waterfalls and tea estates to cultural and religious sites. Hundreds of travellers visit Uva’s main towns Bandarawela and Ella throughout the year.
Uva’s human resources are aplenty and the youth population need jobs and business opportunities. The province’s full potential as a tourist and business hub is yet to be tapped, a spokesman for the organisers said.
Chief Minister of UVA Province, Chamara Sampath Dasanayaka said he hoped that creative producers and the service providers in the province would get more business opportunities through this event; thereby uplifting the economy of the province.
“Our mission is to connect disadvantaged producers and consumers in the Province and to promote fair trading and empower rural producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take control of their lives,” he said.
The Uva Provincial Council officials led by Chief Minister Dasanayaka launched UVA Expo 2016 ‘Endless Inspiration’– Trade Exhibition and Carnival in September in Badulla.
Dasanayaka said they expect to attract 25,000 to 50,000 visitors on a daily basis. “This is a great opportunity for the people who live in the province to obtain a new experience. The Expo showcases the province’s products and services and its rich heritage as a centre for creativity in Sri Lanka. This will be a novel educational and entertainment experience for the entire province.”
The event is managed by West Ventures Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and supported by the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Uva Province. The exhibition will be held at two venues - the library hall and the football grounds in Badulla. The carnival will be at the football grounds.
The Chief Minister said by participating in the exhibition, the producers would get the opportunity to introduce a range of the latest products to the people of the province, which comprises a diversified community including a majority of Sinhalese and also Indian origin Tamil-speaking community in the tea plantations.
“This event is a meeting point for national and international trade practitioners, small, medium and large enterprises, government officials, thought leaders, investors, financiers and development partners. The relationships that you build at this Trade Exhibition can lead to long lasting collaboration,” he said.
The product and service categories at the exhibition include - FMCG, local and national industries, machinery, vehicle and automobile, agriculture, construction, financial and insurance, apparel and textiles, IT, mobile and fixed telecommunication, hospitality, travel and tours, leisure and industrial solutions.
