Colombo, September 6 (newsin.asia): More than 70 Indian companies with a focus on varied products and services related to Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC), Commercial & Residential Building Construction, Government & Civil Infrastructure are participating in the 8thSri Lanka Buildcon International Expo & 7thWood International Expo 2019 here.
The exhibition which is supported by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India was inaugurated on Friday by the Sri Lankan Minister of Megapolis & Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka and the High Commissoner of India, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The exhibition will be on till September 8.
Speaking at the inaugural, Lankan Minister Champika Ranawaka appreciated the role of the construction sector in uplifting the Sri Lankan economy and expressed hope that such exhibitions would facilitate greater international collaboration at the industry and people level. The Minister also thanked the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) for organizing large scale Indian participation at the event.
Indian High Commissioner, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, noted that the large participation of Indian companies in recent Exhibitions in Colombo is a reflection of the trust that Indian companies and industry groups repose in the Sri Lankan economy and its people, which are making all efforts to recover from April 21, Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
The Indian envoy added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s solidarity visit to Sri Lanka had sent an important message of confidence in Sri Lanka to Indian tourists and Indian Industries. These are back in big numbers driving supply chains in the Sri Lankan economy.
Sandhu noted that in the last two months Indian tourists arrivals in Sri Lanka have been the highest, more than double the number of tourists from the second highest source.
He also pointed out that while the demand for new infrastructure should be met quickly and smoothly, there is also a need for the demand to be studied first and ensured that it is environment-friendly.
“There is a need to harmonize the growth trajectory with environment sustainability,” Sandhu said.
While expressing happiness over the presence of a number of Sri Lankan companies in the Indian market, the High Commissioner called for greater collaboration as India’s construction industry is expected to be USD 1 trillion by 2025.
Ms Niluka Ekanayaka, Chairperson, State Timber Corporation, Mr. Prem Anveshi, MD, Futurex Trade Fair & Events Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Amit Panjwani, Director, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr. Pramuk Dediwala, MD, ALUMEX PLC, Sri Lanka, Mr. Nishal Ferdinando, CEO JAT Holdings, Mr. Imran Hassan, MD, CDC Events & Travels and other dignitaries were present at the inauguration. The Exhibition ends on 08 September 2019.
