36 Indian companies participate in international trade fair in Sri Lanka's Northern Province

A large number of Indian companies are participating in this year's Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) opened today in Jaffna, the capital city of Sri Lanka's Northern Province. The 4th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), being held on January 18-20, 2013 at the Duraiyappa Stadium in Jaffna. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiyutheen and Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda inaugurated the Fair with the participation of Consul General of India in Jaffna V. Mahalingam and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Harimawan Suyito as special guests. TNA parliamentarian E. Saravanapavan, Mayor of Jaffna Mrs. Yogeswary Patkunarajah and executives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and Yarlpanam were also present on the occasion. India has been participating as a Partner Country of the JITF for the 4th consecutive year. This year, 36 Indian companies are participating in the Trade Fair, of which the largest contingent of 28 companies is from Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce, Madurai. Large Indian corporates who are prominent in Sri Lanka like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Maruti Suzuki, TAFE, Mahindra Tractors etc., are also present through their local agents/distributors/trade delegates in the Fair. The Indian companies which are participating in the Fair are mostly from the fields of agricultural machinery, food packaging, automotive components, agro products, exporters of jute products, granite, grey fabric, medical equipment, traditional medicines and textiles. "India's continued participation in the JITF is to show our commitment for the renewal and reconstruction process presently that the Northern Province is undergoing," a press statement released by the High Commission of India in Colombo said. India is Sri Lanka's largest trade partner globally and Sri Lanka is ndia's largest trade partner in SAARC. India's commitment to rehabilitate Kankasanthurai (KKS) harbor, re-construction of Northern Railway lines between Medawchchiya and Mannar and Medawchchiya and KKS, rehabilitation of Atchuvely Industrial Zone etc., are in the direction of reviving the economic activities particularly trade and industry in Northern Sri Lanka, the High Commission said.

-->