Pro-Food Pro-Pack Exhibition series becomes country’s largest industry and manufacturing expo

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Eighteen years since it was initially launched and thereafter driven by the Sri Lanka’s Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Pro-Food Pro-Pack expo series has now become the country’s largest exhibition event for its manufacturing sector.

“Pro Food Pro Pack is the most comprehensive International trade fair commenced here in 2001. We can be satisfied that this event is Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturing expo and is increasingly becoming one of the largest food beverages packaging and agri-business fairs in South Asia” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons & Cooperative Development Rishad Bathiudeen on Tuesday (26) in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch event of 18th edition of Pro-Food Pro Pack exhibition series (to be held in August 2019 in Colombo) and Awards Night of its (previous) 17th Expo at Hotel Cinnamon Grand on 26 February, joined by President-Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association (SLFPA) Sarath Alahakoon, Secretary of SLFPA Thusith Wijesinghe, CEO of Lanka Exhibition & Conference Servicers Aasim Mukthar and key industry personalities of this sector. This year’s 18th expo shall feature 370 exhibition stalls and machinery exhibition pavilions from India and China. Minister Bathiudeen’s Ministry is to showcase a special pavilion for SMEs of these sectors during the forthcoming expo.

“Pro Food Pro Pack is the most comprehensive food & packaging International trade fair that originally commenced here in 2001. As we launch the 18th edition we can be satisfied that this event is Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturing expo and is increasingly becoming one of the largest food, beverages, packaging and agribusiness fairs in South Asia. We commend SLFPA for their efforts” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: “Since the launch of this series in 2001 there has been much progress in the processed food sector by way of improvements in technology, packaging, product development, and marketing. The local and overseas participation too has been significantly growing. With 370 stalls on display at this year’s expo, this event is the largest in this series and in Sri Lanka manufacturing as well. This year there will be a special pavilion by my Ministry for the SME sector. There is a great number of micro and SME enterprises active in this industry. In fact we believe that more than 40% of our SMEs are in food processing sector. This sub-sector is therefore highly significant in our economic planning. Therefore my ministry is working to enhance the food sector through many projects. This is the reason that a special pavilion by my Ministry for the SME sector is maintained this year. Among other initiatives for SMEs by my Ministry are the “Facilitation of SMIs in food sector through packaging” project and the “Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification to Improve Food Safety in Small Industries” (GMPCIFSSI) project. With such new initiatives strengthened by the ongoing Pro-Food Pro Pack series I am of the belief that there are great prospects for this sector in future. I also commend the commitment of Sri Lankan industry personnel to develop these sectors.”

Sri Lanka’s food-processing sub sector is reported to be at Rs 100 million, employing 1.5 million workforce. Industry and Commerce Ministry’s pioneering GMPCIFSSI project introduces international ISO certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 to this critical sub-sector.

SLFPA officials said they are now making arrangements to receive food and agro-sector exhibitors from India and China for the 18th Pro Food Pro Pack expo to be held at BMICH, Colombo from 2-4th August 2019.