1900 Sri Lankan visitors attend Indian Fabric Expo

The formal inauguration of the “IIEF-2013” was held on 9th September 2013 at Hotel Galadari, Colombo with the kind hands of the chief guest of the inaugural function, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, The Hon. Minister of Economic Development, Government of Sri Lanka.

During the Inaugural Ceremony, the other dignitaries were Mr. Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Mr. A. H. M. Fauzi, Minister for Industry, Government of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Zohra Chattarjee, Secretary (Textiles), Govt. of India, , Mr. Anura Siriwardena, Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Govt. of Sri Lanka, Mr. P. S. Raghavan, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, Mr. Vishwanath Agarwal, Chairman, PDEXCIL and Mr Ashroff Omar, CMD, BRANDIX-Sri Lanka along with the senior officers of both the countries.

During the inaugural function, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both the Governments was signed through its concerned secretaries, on Co-operation in the development of SMEs in handloom, power loom and textiles and promotion of trade.

The dignitaries have also taken the visit of all stalls of the exhibition and appreciated the quality of fabrics displayed during the exhibition with the remark that it is at par of the international quality and can be used by the leading garment manufacturers of the Sri Lanka.

During the event, a grand fashion show was also organized on 9th September, 2013 at the venue of the exhibition, which was sponsored by the exhibitors of the event. Mr. Sinha, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Mrs. Zohra Chattarjee, Secretary (Textiles), Govt. of India, Mr. Anura Siriwardene, Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Govt. of Sri Lanka along with the senior officers of both the countries and representatives of garments manufactures, fabrics-Made-ups whole sellers and institutional buyers of Sri Lanka have graced the occasion.

The PDEXCIL delegation was invited by the Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Govt. of Sri Lanka in his office on 10th September 2013 and discussed on the issues regarding promotion of trade and joint ventures between the businessmen of both the countries.

Taxation issues and quota on garment export from Sri Lanka to India were also discussed during this meeting. The Secretary has promised for extending all kinds of support to the businessmen from his office.

It was informed by him that within one month he will again invite the quality fabrics manufacturers of PDEXCIL to Sri Lanka for having direct interaction with the garment manufacturers of Sri Lanka so that the garment manufacturers of Sri Lanka may source out its fabrics requirement from them under their duty free scheme.