(UTV | COLOMBO) – Minister of Small and Medium Business and Enterprise Development and Minister of Industries and Supply Chain Management, Wimal Weerawansa along with the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Major General (Retired) Saad Khattak inaugurated Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on Friday (31).
The Exhibition organiser, Mrs. Shagufta in her welcome speech thanked both Sri Lankan and Pakistani friends for their assistance in organising this second edition of Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition and expressed the hope to make it more attractive in future.
Guest of honour, the High Commissioner of Pakistan said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a very deep-rooted friendship that not only covers defence but also trade, culture and people to people contacts. He further noted that both countries have a great potential to explore in the areas of bilateral trade and Pakistan can offer tremendous opportunities for Sri Lankan businessmen.
Chief Guest, Minister Weerawansa speaking on the occasion said that he greatly appreciates everyone for organising this beautiful event. “As the Minister of Industry and Supply Chain Management in Sri Lanka, we are very much interested to support small and medium scale industries. We trust that geographical borders are not an issue to do business since technology and transport are rapidly developing in the world. We are living in South Asian region, mainly in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region where economy is rapidly booming.” He requested Pakistan to support his Ministry to organise a similar trade event in Pakistan for Sri Lankan products.
The Pakistan High Commission in collaboration with the Pakistan Calligraph Artists’ Guild has exhibited calligraphy works of the great exponents of Pakistan like Ustad Ikramulhaq, Ustad Irfan, and Ustad Imran Sultan . The purpose to hold such event is to promote the soft image of Pakistan as well as the Quranic message of love, peace and interfaith harmony in the world. Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal who is a calligraph artist as well as the senior Vice President of the Guild, is curating this exhibition.
After the inauguration, the Chief Guest along with High Commissioner visited the stalls displaying Pakistani products and appreciated the wide variety and quality of Pakistani products.
The 3-day Exhibition is featuring leading Pakistani companies and manufacturers of Textile and Clothing, Designer Wear, Handicraft and Traditional Textiles, Cutlery, Furniture, Carpets, Marble and Services.