Jaffna International Trade Fair: “Your Gateway to the North”

The Jaffna International Trade Fair, the multi-faceted gateway to the North bringing together traders and business to a wide range of opportunities, is to take the Northern peninsula by storm from January 26- 28.

The ninth edition of the annual event, aptly named the Gateway to the North will be the meeting hotspot for traders and business, both local and international. The one stop shop for businesses in the rapidly developing Northern peninsula, the trade fair will host close to 350 stalls on a wide range of products and services.

Organized and managed each January, by Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd (LECS) in association with the Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam (CCIY) with the support of the Jaffna Municipal Council, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and International Business Council, will be endorsed by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, National Chamber of Exporters and ASSOCHAM of India.

The multiproduct trade fair is considered to be ‘The Event’ for businesses looking to expand to the North while businesses in the region are given the opportunity and the stepping stone to expand beyond its borders and work shoulder to shoulder with major players in any given industry.

Attracting an average of 60,000 visitors each year, the event will have over 2,500 products on discount with entertainment and opportunities for all age groups. An amusement park with a children’s play area, a wide range of food and beverages and an hourly raffle draw with exciting prizes.

A special delegation from India sponsored and hosted by ASSOCHAM of India (The Associated Chamber of Commerce in India) will also take part in the trade fair this year exploring trade and investment opportunities the Northern peninsula.

The project which was initially launched in 2002 with just 120 stalls and consisting entirely of companies and products from the Southern parts of the country has grown in leaps and bounds over the years to include international participants and emerging businesses from the Northern Province.

Speaking of its unforeseen growth over the years, LECS CEO Aasim Mukthar said traders had witnessed the business opportunities and the potential the North had to offer first hand. “When we first held the fair, many of the traders who came with us had to close shop after one day because they were sold out. We have seem tangible growth in numerous sectors in the North over the years and also played a role in the opportunities that are created, especially for SME’s, through such an event,” he said.

This tangible aspect of growth in the Northern Province and the Jaffna International trade Fair can be witnessed in the 30 Jaffna based companies which will take part in the trade fair this year. In keeping with the initiative of giving back to the community, each year LECS donates its earning through ticket sales for the event to the Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam (CCIY) who in turn re-invests it into SME’s in the area, providing many traders and businesses a much needed helping hand.

The ninth edition of the exhibition will feature the construction industry, hospitality industry, food, beverage and packing industry, automobile industry, ICT industry, financial services, Apparel & Textile, Agricultural, Consumer goods and many others, during the three days it will be held.

Organizers have planned many concurrent events during the 2018 edition, some of the highlights will include, a road show prior to the expo, a children’s carnival and amusement park among other things.