‘Ruhunu Expo-Gamen Lowata’ Export Trade Exhibition, which was organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade was held on the 13th and 14th of December 2008 at the Tzu-Chi National School Siribopura, Hambantota.

‘Ruhunu Expo-Gamen Lowata’ was a platform for producers in Ruhuna to offer possibilities to the global market for their products, with the objective of delivering the benefits of export trade to the people of Ruhuna.

Commenting at the opening ceremony Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof.G.L.Peiris said, "There is a huge demand for our agricultural products in the global market, together with the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya-Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu’ concept we were able to begin a new era especially, in the agricultural sector".

"We are mainly targeting the agricultural sector as there is a good demand for these products particularly for fruits and vegetables. During the last three years the decisions made were basically Colombo centered. Since the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’ concept the programmes and decisions made were village based, so that the people island wide benefited equally. During the month of September to October 2008, EDB motivated an increase in growth up to six percent. It is a great achievement within a very short period", he said.

"Furthermore, ‘One village-One product’ theory will contribute to benefit the rural exporters and through that it will even help the unemployed youth to start on their own business, mainly in the export sector. Our children have talent, such talent you cannot find even in the Oxford University, so the only thing that is lacking is the opportunity. Through these exhibitions we have provided exporters, manufactures and also the general public to come into the industry, which will enable to help the countries economy enormously too", he added.

"For the first time in the history a government has allocated Rs.1500 million for the export sector and especially for the agricultural products. There is a huge potential for the agricultural products and it is a must to strengthen the provincial exporters. We are looking forward to make Hambantota an important city for commercial purposes like Colombo. Through exports we can earn a lot of foreign exchange as well as to reduce the high inflation", Chairman Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Anil Koswatte said.

"The first exhibition was a great success as more than100 exporters gathered here to share their experience, to educate the children and to motivate the new comers to the export industry. Hambantota district was never treated so well. Now this district is one of the fastest developing districts. The phase one of the harbour will be completed by 2010 and the airport will also be completed by the end of 2012. I welcome all to Hambantota and feel the difference. We have even separated lands for the hotels and industries within the Hambantota district and I welcome all the investors to join hands with us", Minister of Port Development, Airport services, Irrigation and Water Management; Chamal Rajapakshe said.

"The government has a proper vision and a management to sustain our country with a healthy economy within a peaceful environment. We were able to develop the country while managing the war. Through this conception it has fulfilled a basic aspiration in the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’ since it has helped to develop the rural economy and it will eventually help to boost their per capita income, which will help a sustainable economy", he added.

Minister of Electricity, John Seneviratne said, "We gained a lot of foreign exchange towards our economy. Unfortunately, there is a huge breakdown in these industries, especially tea. Iran and Russia has stopped buying tea from us due to the problems in the global market. So, it is our duty to boost these industries back to normal and even more profitable. I am answerless at the moment to all the tea planters, but soon will come across with a proper idea since the current situation is extremely complicated’.

"We import one percent of tea and mix them with our tea and then export it to countries which are used to this mixed tea. For this, government has put a four percent cess per one kilogram. In the gem industry there is a trend in buying our gems for very low prices as a strategy in some countries", he noted.

150 stalls of export oriented products and services, export market opportunities for provincial producers, provincial ‘Samatha Piyasa’ a forum to discuss constrains faced by provincial entrepreneurs, presentation of awards in recognition of the contribution made by provincial exports and service providers, seminars on export market opportunities and other subjects of interest on exports were available at the exhibition.

Information on new technology, seminars on enterprise/ entrepreneurship development and vocational training programmes were there for the youth and educational stalls, seminars on exports and international trade, text books and materials, stationary at a concessionary rate, entertainment programme for children and the entrance for all school children was free.

Export quality products at reasonable prices, services offered by government institutions, daily musical and cultural shows were conducted by popular artists onthe two nights.