DN photo essay friday, march 30, 2012

Korean delegation meets Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Pictures by Chaminda Hittatiya Ministers with Belgium delegation

Minister meets with the USA team

Minister with Japanese delegation

With Chinese and Hong Kong delegations

The Italian and Cyprus delegations meet Minister Basil Rajapaksa

Minister with officials from Malaysia Minister with UAE and Indian delegations Foreign investors eye Sri Lanka Many investors from around the BMICH Convention Centre in globe seem interested in investing in Colombo. A trade discussion with the UK team Sri Lanka. The event’s chief guest was Prime Hundred of investors and service Minister D. M. Jayaratne. Also in providers flocked to “Expo Lanka attendance were Minister of Exter- 2012” in Sirimavo Bandaranaike nal Affairs, Prof. G.L.Peiris, Deputy Memorial International Conference Minister of Industry and Commerce Hall. Jayaratne Herath, Senior Minister A. Minister Basil Rajapaksa and H. M. Fowzie and Janaka Ratnayake, Minister of Economic Development Chairman/CEO of EDB, organizers Rishad Bathiudeen held discussions of the event. with investor groups who came to “No serious food processing participate in the expo 2012 from industry in the world ignores the Belgium, Korea, United Kingdom, Anuga Fair. Similarly, we should Japan, Hong Kong, China, Italy, strive to make Sri Lanka Expo to be United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and known as a trend setting, a must see Dubai at his Ministry yesterday trade and investment event in Asia (29). in future which no serious interna- The UK business delegation was tional importer or investor would led by British High Commissioner to want to miss. Sri Lanka John Rankin and High "We can achieve this only by com- Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the mitting strongly and I have no UK Dr. Chris Nonis. Minister Rishad doubts that such a well-known event Bathiudeen also participated. will lend precious assistance in our The Italy business delegation was efforts to make Sri Lanka the Eco- led by Fabrizio Pio Arpea, Ambas- nomic Hub of Asia as per the nation- sador for Italy in Sri Lanka and Asi- al development policy framework of tha Perera, Ambassador for Sri our President Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Lanka to Italy. Minister Bathiudeen said and added, The government is keen to push “Despite the World Trade Organiza- the Sri Lanka Expo series of exhibi- tion forecasting only 5.8 percent tion to a higher level. “I am pleased world export growth for 2011, Sri to announce that I am considering to Lanka’s export sector showed strong promote the Sri Lanka Expo event in resilience, by registering a highly future as a must see export event in commendable growth rate of 22.37 the Asian region similar to the percent, in comparison to 2010 renowned Anuga Foodtech Fair tak- under his able leadership. ing place in Germany as I speak to I say ‘highly commendable’ since you now,” said Industry and Com- this growth rate has been achieved merce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. also despite a looming global eco- Minister Bathiudeen said this dur- nomic downturn," the Minister said. ing the kick-off event of the second day of Expo 2012 on March 29 at the