The 4th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) being held from January 18-20, 2013 at the Duraiyappa Stadium in Jaffna was inaugurated today by Hon’ble Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry & Commerce and Hon’ble Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development. Mr. V. Mahalingam, Consul General of India, Jaffna, was the Special Guest at the inaugural event. H.E. Mr. Harimawan Suyito, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. E. Saravanapavan, M.P., Mrs. Yogeswaray Patkunarajah, Mayor of Jaffna, and executives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and Yarlpanam were also present on the occasion.

India is participating as a Partner Country in the JITF for the 4th consecutive year. 36 Indian companies are participating in the Trade Fair, of which the largest contingent of 28 companies is from Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce, Madurai. Large Indian corporates who are prominent in Sri Lanka like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Maruti Suzuki, TAFE, Mahindra Tractors etc., are also present through their local agents/distributors/trade delegates in the Fair.

The Indian companies which are participating in the Fair are mostly in the field of agricultural machinery, food packaging, automotive components, agro products, exporters of jute products, granite, grey fabric, medical equipment, traditional medicines and textiles.

India’s continued participation in the JITF shows our commitment towards the renewal and reconstruction process presently underway in the Northern Province. India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner globally and Sri Lanka is India’s largest trade partner in SAARC. India’s commitment to assist in the rehabilitation of KKS harbor, re-construction of Northern Railway lines between Medawachchiya and Mannar and Medawachchiya and KKS, rehabilitation of Atchuvely Industrial Zone etc., are in the direction of reviving the economic activities particularly trade and industry in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.