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This exhibition plans to introduce these raw materials to local construction sector as well as public to educate them on these products.

\"Most of contractors and the public ask branded and imported raw materials to construct their projects. However they do not consider on locally manufactured projects , say the EXCON organizers.

The three day exhibition will display and educate public on locally manufactured sand, Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) steel bars as a superior alternative to TOR steel and many products.

The exhibition will commence from 9th of May and ends 11th May.

Describing his views and experience on these products Minister of Engineering services Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said manufactured sand as a superior alternative to for river sand for use in the construction industry which assisted the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services in the rehabilitation of \"Devco Showa\" quarry industry which was to have been sold for scrap iron at the time he took over the Ministry.

Speaking to media Minister of Construction and Engineering Services Dr. Rajitha Senarate said this sand variety would be the best alternative for river sand and the ministry plans to popularize these raw materials among the contractors and the public.

He also stated that in his quest of finding alternative to river sand going through files he realized that it was the Chamber of Construction Industry at it\'s first trade exhibition held in the year 2003 advocated offshore sand as a viable alternative in the presence of the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who inaugurated the event.

He congratulated the Chamber for facilitating launch of Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) steel bars as a superior alternative to TOR steel, which will be launched by GTB Colombo Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., at \"Excon 2008\". This initiative is expected to reduce steel consumption of steel by 10%.

He said the annual trade fair of the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI) popularly known as \"Excon\" as one of the best examples of the focused construction fair he has ever seen. The Minister stated that Construction Chamber in consultation with the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services has launched a programme to train construction craftsmen.

The Chamber in collaboration with Bioforce Institute of France has established training centres in the districts of Kalutara, Galle, Matara & Hambantota, an initiative once again launched by the Chamber at Excon 2006.

While complimenting the CCI on its efforts to reduce the construction cost by introducing cost effective construction material and technologies his Ministry will work with the Chamber to implement the ambitious plans of H.E. the President to produce 100,000 construction craftsmen as clearly spelled out in the Vision Statement of the Mahinda Chinthanaya.

Dr. Senaratne stated that Chamber\'s initiative to promote Export of Construction related Professional Services in the State of Qatar has signaled the dawn of a new era for the Sri Lankan construction industry. State Engineering Corporation, which is under his ministry has secured a contract to build villas in the State of Qatar, value exceeding USD150 Mn.

While thanking the Chamber and CEO/Secretary General Mr. Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya for these initiatives, he stated that export promotion campaign of the Chamber will result in large scale generation of foreign exchange earnings and also employment opportunities for a large number of construction workers, craftsmen, middle level technical officials and even for senior professionals as well.

He also stated that in consultation with the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade and Prof. G.L. Peiris his Ministry will support the Chamber to stage Excon 2009 as Sri Lanka\'s first international trade fair designed to promote Export of Professional Services and Foreign Direct Investment in construction related projects.

The Chamber has already confirmed reservation of BMICH and other logistical arrangements for this event which will be held during the second week of May 2009. He also noted that the Chamber is soliciting the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to galvanize the support of the Sri Lankan Missions abroad.

He thanked the Bank of Ceylon for entering into a strategic alliance with the Construction Chamber and acting as the Banker to \"Excon 2008\".

He solicited the assistance of the BOC branch network to promote Small and Medium Enterprises in the Construction Industry, which is the way forward to ensure development of the construction industry in Sri Lanka.

He added that the CCI and Institute for Construction Training And Development (ICTAD) would be holding an interactive session with representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprises on 10th May 2008 to discuss their problems and find ways and means of overcoming them.

He appealed to the members of the trade to support the initiatives of the Chamber of Construction Industry by prominent participation at Excon 2008, which will be held during the period 9th to 11th of May 2008 that is one of the key events of the Chamber calendar.

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