NCCSL focuses INTRAD 2003 on infrastructure development

By Brian Tissera
The National Chamber of Commerce (NCCSL) unveiled plans for INTRAD 2003 at a media launch on Thursday at the Galadari Hotel. Among the distinguished guests was former People’s Alliance Senior Minister and current Governor of the Western Province Alavi Moulana. His presence motivated speculation of national issues being moved away from party politics, the most pressing need of our times, participants were heard to say.

Moving over to preparations for INTRAD 2003, NCCSL’s President Asoka de Z. Gunasekera said that ten sectors have been selected as the base of the exhibition. They are transport, air, land and sea, information and communication technology, power and energy, tourism, housing and construction, agriculture and rural development, banking and insurance, health services, educational services and environmental services.

This exhibition and the investor forum which will be held concurrently seeks to provide potential investors with a comprehensive insight into the numerous investment opportunities available in the country in order to attract foreign direct investment, joint ventures, transfer of technologies etc.

The environment provided at this exhibition will enable participarts to interact with various government authorities to resolve policy and regulatory issues. The participation of providers of various services such as equipment, procurement, construction, operations and maintainance, commercial banking, finance and insurance will enable both foreign and local investors to identify their needs and select its most suitable of the services available.

In addition the foreign participants could also use the opportunity to exhibit their own products, services and technology.

It is expected that this event will be designated as a national event and over 20 ministries are expected to both endorse and participate at the exhibition. The pattern and style of the exhibition will be different and will be designed on the basis of a pavilion for each participating ministry, where all connected authorities and organisations will be clustered together with an information desk to clarify and provide additional information required by visitors.

The Board of Investment (BOI), the Bureau of Infrastructure Investment (BII), Sri Lankan embassies abroad and the chambers own network of international chambers will help in sourcing investors, for this event which is due to be held on September 5 to 7 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial exhibition centre.

The Investor Forum which will take place concurrently would cover the three most important and priority sectors in "Regaining Sri Lanka". They relate to power and energy, transportation, air, land and sea and Information and Communication Technology.

In addition to local and foreign investors and exhibitors, representatives from relevant government agencies such as BOI, PERC, Central Environmental Authority, National Planning, Attorney General’s Department, Inland Revenue Department etc. are also due to be on hand to assist investors.