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Profood Propack and Agbiz Exhibition in Colombo from Aug 05-07

Text and Pic by Jude Denzil Pathiraja
Pro Food, Pro Pack & Ag-biz 2022, Sri Lanka’s only comprehensive food, agriculture and packaging exhibition will open its doors to the general public and trade visitors from Aug 5 to 7 for the 19th consecutive year at the BMICH Exhibition Center, Colombo, it was announced on Thursday.
The exhibition is organized by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association together with Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd (LECS). The exhibition is supported and endorsed by the Ministry of Industries.
Secretary to the Ministry of Industries Gen Daya Ratnayake guest of honour of the Thursday’s event said that the exhibition is expected to provide a unique and comprehensive platform for the discovery and introduction of food processing, engineering and packaging services among a host of other benefits for both visitors and the stall holders.
Outgoing President of the Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association (SLFPA) Nishan Perera said that more than 200 stalls have been allocated for the local and foreign exhibitor. Pro Food, Pro Pack & Ag-biz 2022 is the biggest event in the country in relation to the food, beverage, packaging and agriculture sector.
SLFPA President elect Delano Dias said that the exhibition has witnessed an evolutionary increase over the decades will be held under the theme “farm to the fork” denoting the entire chain of the food industry. Which includes the revolve around farms, to the processing, packaging, transport and finally, consumption.
The expo could not be held for the past two years due to the global pandemic. The organizers this year have taken a decision to organize the expo under strict health regulations and conditions. No one will be allowed to enter the premises without a mask and temperature check.
The exhibition and consumer fair scheduled to be held within a span of three days, will attract a large audience. The event is a platform to interact with prospective buyers and also understand the new technology that is being used for the sector. Moreover, the event will feature all facets of the food and beverage industry and will include intricate details and the meticulous processes that are required, to make food products available to the consumer. The National Agri Business Council join hands with the organizers to provide an insight to the agri business sector and Industry.
The event is renowned for providing a unique and comprehensive platform for the discovery and introduction of food processing, engineering and packaging services among a host of other benefits for both visitors and the stall holders.
This year’s expo has a separate pavilion from the largest global player in the region, India. Over 40 companies from India will participate at this year’s event. The event is set to attract stakeholders from many South East Asian countries as well. The Ministry of Industries will sponsor the SME and micro sector entities pavilion. The Organizing committee has taken a very good initiative by providing a special pavilion for University students to display their innovation.
A highlight at this year’s event will be the Street Food Fiesta and Cooking Studio. The street food fiesta and cooking studio will take place on all three days of the expo. The event has been earmarked as ‘a must attend’ throughout the entirety of its existence.
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A comprehensive discussion regarding the progress of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) took place on Thursday (06) at the Presidential Secretariat, between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the IMF delegation.
The current government has already reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the third review regarding the extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of USD3 billion.
The details of this review are expected to be presented to the International Monetary Fund’s Board of Directors by the end of this month. In this regard, discussions were held regarding the progress and the government’s involvement in continuing the program moving forward.
Once the approval is granted by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka is expected to release the fourth tranche of the extended loan, amounting to 333 million dollars.
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Musk reveals ‘crazy waste’ of USAID funds in Sri Lanka

USD 7.9 mn spent on teaching Lankan journalists how to avoid “binary-gendered language”
USAID has spent $7.9 million to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid “binary-gendered language”, Elon Musk who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said in a post on X on Thursday.
Musk called it a “Crazy waste of your tax money!”
Musk’s criticism came with a detailed breakdown of USAID’s spending across various countries, which he argued reflects misguided priorities. According to a document Musk shared, USAID has funded a range of projects globally, including $20 million for a new Sesame Street show in Iraq, $4.5 million to “combat disinformation” in Kazakhstan, and $6 million to transform digital spaces to reflect feminist democratic principles.
The list also included $1.5 million for art projects promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and $2 million for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala. $10 million worth of USAID-funded meals, allegedly ended up in the hands of an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, the document states.
Other USAID programmes include $25 million for Deloitte to promote green transportation in Georgia, $6 million for tourism development in Egypt, and $2.5 million to foster inclusion in Vietnam. The documents also pointed to $5 million awarded to EcoHealth Alliance, a group linked to bat virus research at the Wuhan lab, and $20 million for an organisation tied to what Musk described as a “key player” in the Russiagate impeachment inquiry.
Further funds were allocated for various LGBT-related initiatives worldwide, including $5.5 million for LGBT activism in Uganda, $6.3 million for men who have sex with men in South Africa, $3.9 million for LGBT causes in the western Balkans, and $6 million for advancing LGBT issues globally. Additionally, $2 million was allocated to promote LGBT equality through entrepreneurship in Latin America, while $1.5 million was designated for LGBT advocacy in Jamaica.
The data also highlighted spending closer to home, with $1.2 million going to help the African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency in Washington, D.C., build a 440-seat auditorium. A further $1.3 million was provided to Arab and Jewish photographers, while $1.1 million supported an Armenian LGBT group.
Musk criticised other expenditures as well, including $3.9 million for artisanal gold mining in the Amazon and $500,000 aimed at solving sectarian violence in Israel just days before the October 7 Hamas attack.
Attention was also drawn to USAID’s $150 billion “whole-of-agency” climate strategy, which outlines efforts to build an “equitable world” while pursuing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
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