With a view to tap the market potential of Components, Leather & Accessories for Footwear, Leather goods and upholstery industries in Sri Lanka, CLE & IFCOMA, jointly organized a two days Buyers Sellers Meet on Components, Leather & Accessories on 9th & 10th March, 2010 at Hotel Galle Face, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Indian High Commission in Colombo provided all necessary guidance and extended unstinted support and co-operation in effectively organizing this BSM. The Footwear and Leather goods association of Sri Lanka provided necessary assistance and local support in mobilizing business visitors from the Footwear & Leather Goods Sector from all over Sri Lanka.

Mr. B. D. Bhaiya, President, IFCOMA, who is also the convener of Footwear Components Panel of CLE, in his welcome address briefly outlined about holding BSM in Colombo in view of the opportunities available for Indian Components Industry.

He appreciated the support and guidance provided by His Excellency, the Indian High Commissioner in conducting this Business Event in a befitting manner,
He mentioned that local trade Association had extended their whole hearted support to make this event happen. While appreciating the growth of the Footwear & Leather goods sector of Sri Lanka he mentioned that Good quality products are produced in Sri lanka but it lacks the input of components. He assured the Local industrialists

that IFCOMA would make all efforts to be a catalyst in bridging this gap and provide quality components for the footwear and leather goods industry through this BSM. He also took this opportunity to request the Government of Sri Lanka to make the import of components, materials & leather from India, Duty Free for this sector of industries, which would definitely be an impetus in the growth of the Leather products sector of Sri Lanka as no Components are produced in Sri Lanka and the industry is totally dependent on imports for their requirements.

He also stressed the need for continued co-operation between Indian Footwear Components Industry and the Colombo Footwear & Leather Goods Industry for mutual business interest.

He expressed confident that this BSM will gave way for such business collaborations given the strength and potential of both industries supported with conducive and policies of Govt. of India and Govt. of Colombo towards promotion of foreign investments and joint ventures etc.

The BSM was inaugurated on 9th March by His Excellency Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Hon'ble High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka & Mr Janaka Sugathadasa Additional Secretary, who was deputed by Prof. G. L. Peiris, Hon'ble Minister of Export Development and International Trade Government of Sri Lanka, the chief guest for the occasion, as he was held up at the last minute due to an emergency meeting called by H.E. the President of Sri Lanka.


Mr. Sughtadasa conveyed the personal regrets of the Hon'ble minister for not being able to attend the meet and in his address congratulated the Indian participants for making this effort in organizing the BSM for the the benefit of the industry of Sri Lanka. He also expressed that this BSM will help in increasing closer ties between the business communities of both the countries and encouraged the Sri Lankan industry to take benefit from the technological development of India in the sector.

Indian high Commissioner H. E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Hon'ble High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka in his address mentioned that the current BSM offered renewed opportunity to Footwear Industries in Colombo to have business interaction with Indian Components Manufacturers. He said that India had emerged as a major destination of global sourcing of footwear, being the second largest manufacturer of footwear in world.