Don't limit industrial exhibitions only to Colombo - Minister

Industrial exhibitions should not only be limited to Colombo but should be taken to villages. Steps should also be taken to uplift small and medium scale industrialists in the village, Industrial Development Minister Kumar Welgama said.

The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the machinery exhibition 2008 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike International Convention Hall.

The Minister said as in the last two years, this year too the main theme is to develop small and medium scale industries and introduce technology to rural areas.

The President in the Mahinda Chinthana policy statement has mentioned that by strengthening small and medium scale entrepreneurs his aim is to establish the business environment in Sri Lanka to go to the international market beyond national level. The President also said these type of exhibitions would greatly benefit in achieving that objective, Welgama said.

"The effort my Ministry took to manufacture motor vehicles in Sri Lanka is becoming a success. Many companies have started to assemble motor vehicles. Action has been taken to implement many more other projects. Industrialists have also been encouraged to use locally made accessories for motor vehicles," he said.

A special exhibition area has been set for motor vehicle accessories at this exhibition, the minister said.

This is a timely step. Through the development of this sector there will be a development in sub industrial sectors such as rubber and plastic, Welgama said.