The widely covered four-day trade show in Colombo is expected to usher in a new era in bilateral trade and commerce between Dhaka and Colombo, according to a message received here Tuesday.

A total of 44 Bangladeshi companies setting up as many stalls displayed their products under 17 categories, including pharmaceuticals, textile fabrics, melamine tableware, ceramic giftware, dry cell battery, float glass, jute products, handloom products, and cosmetics and toiletries.

Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury and his Sri Lankan counterpart Jeyaraj Fernandopulle jointly opened the four-day show on January 20.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo jointly organised the fair to showcase the country's products.

The participants had one-to-one business meetings with the prospective Sri Lankan importers coordinated by the major chambers of commerce of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Business Council.

In fiscal 2003-04 and 2004-05, Bangladesh's exports to Sri Lanka were worth US$

11 million and US$ 10.35 million respectively, while in fiscal 2002-03 and 2001-2002 Bangladesh exported goods worth US$ 3.75 million and US$ 2.06 million respectively to Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, Bangladesh imported goods worth US$ 10.26 million and US$ 9.84 million during the 2004-05 and 2003-04 fiscal years from Sri Lanka.