With the objective of development of agro based resources available for exports and to uplift the rural life style of Sri Lanka, President Mahinada Rajapaksa by his recent budget speech for the year 2009 announced that Rs.500 million has been allocated to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board as the focal Government institution for export development and promotion to implement the establishment of Agro Exporting Zones. . It has been highlighted in the budget speech as follows.

"Agro Exporting Zones: The Export Development Board has proposed a programme to establish export zones with the involvement of farmer villages in order to provide high quality, value added agri products to the export market.

Through this programme selected products such as palmyra products, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla with high quality standards, to be exported. I propose to make an allocation of Rs. 500 Million to the Export Development Board for this purpose."

The First Agro Zone, Wayaba Exporting Zone will implement the project for promotion of cut flowers and foliage for exports covering the Bingiriya Electorate in Kurunegala District in making a reality of the budget proposal. It was ceremonially declared opened by Basil Rajapaksa M.P, Senior Advisor to President with the participation of Ministers and Members of Parliament on the invitation of Prof. G.L.Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade.

The reason behind the selection of Bingiriya for the Agro Expo Zone is the result of the study carried out by the EDB identifying Kurunegala region as potential for the production of foliage and its close location to air port. Today Udubaddawa in Bingiriya Electorate of Kurunegala District is recognized for the growth of Anthurium and produce of foliage and could be developed for the export market. Nearly 300 families are currently involved in growing anthurium and foliage in the area.  It has the potential to develop production for export market. 

The export of foliage plays a significant role in the export sector. Most of the exporters who are involved in foliage, export with the support of their supply base on sub contract. This nature of operation could be developed the link between the supplier and exporter. Finally it will help long term to create the potential exporters in the area.

The Centre for the Agro Exporting Zone will be established on two acres in Bingiriya.  This center will operate as the collecting centre , packaging house, model farm for sampling, storage facilities etc and as a company within the agro zone consisting of farmers.