"Bilateral trade can be developed if both countries can showcase export items, giving people in Dhaka and Colombo an opportunity to get to know each other's products in the process," the minister said.

While visiting the stalls, the minister said that he hoped the bilateral relations between the two countries and the exchange of single country exhibitions, referring to the Bangladesh Trade Show 2006 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in January this year, could help bring down import taxes gradually and assist in the promotion of further business.

The trade show, organised jointly by Sri Lanka's the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Dhaka showcased items from 33 companies and services of two educational institutions.

Items ranged from the very famous Sri Lankan tea, to herbal/natural medicines, electrical and garment accessories, cables, food and beverages and canned food items, air ducts, fishing utensils trawlers, nets, rubber products tyres and tubes, cosmetics, telephone units, colour products, education and banking.

"We are looking forward to introducing our products to Bangladesh," said Amal Karunatilaka, director (production), Colour Products Ltd, producers of Homerun Pas pastels. "Our products are far better in quality than Indian and Chinese as the raw materials are balanced, non-toxic and we have been in the Sri Lankan market for over 40 years," he added.

But visitors to the fair who were keen on buying displayed products were disappointed as none of the items were for sale.

"What is the point in looking at the items, if we cannot have any one of them," asked Mustafa Kamal, a 55-year old government employee.

"I was impressed with the quality of the mosquito nets, raincoats and umbrellas and almost begged the person in charge of the Sri Lanka Umbrella Industries Rainco (Pvt) Ltd stall to sell a raincoat," said Amran Hossain, another visitor to the exhibition.

But Priyankara Aponsu, Asst Brand Manager, said that they were unable to bring many items, as import restrictions did not permit them to bring in large quantities of their products.

"We are looking for distributors, so that we would not disappoint Bangladeshi customers," he added.

Nilhan Ekanayake, export manager, Lanka Canneries Ltd said that their products were already available in India, but it is for the first time they were introducing their products in this country.

"As it is the first time, we are very keen in familiarising our products to the people of this country," said Fazal Mushin, director of Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd adding that as time goes by their products will flood the local market.

The banking sector had already been introduced when the Commercial Bank of Ceylon started operations in Dhaka. They now have almost five branches operating in the city.

Bio Extracts (Pvt) Ltd had many of their herbal products on display. The products ranged from vitamins, blood sugar and cholesterol regulators, and even hypertension reduction capsules.

Thimira Rajapakse, executive director, EDB at the inauguration said that Bangladesh is a country with vast potential for development of the Sri Lankan export that has been virtually untapped. He said that he had studied the opportunities available for business during his earlier visits, and "this unique exhibition will open new vistas for our manufacturers and traders in quality products".

Taking these facts into consideration he said that he had recommended the idea of this exclusive single country exhibition.

Thosapala Hewage, secretary to Sri Lanka's ministry of enterprise development and investment promotion traced routes to the historical connections between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and that these connections should prevail through friendship and stronger trade ties.

Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, high commissioner of Sri Lanka to Dhaka, said that trade relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was given a boost at the EDB sponsored 5th Saarc Trade fair held in Dhaka in 2003.

He also said that the "Sri Lanka Single Country Trade Exhibition 2006" has added its significance with the emergence of SAFTA from July 1, 2006, and hoped that both countries would reduce their tariffs to provide better opportunities to enhance trade volume and values.

He further said that in this globalised world when there is no quota and preferential treatment in international trade, both countries could remain as competitors only if the markets are expanded through regional cooperation.

The exhibition ends today at 8 pm. Although entrance to the exhibition was free for the first two days, a sudden introduction of Tk 20 as entrance fee irritated some visitors.

George Pereira of the EDB and in-charge of all the stalls said that the loss of some valuable equipment from the stalls forced them to take this action.