P Sivaramakrishnan BBC Tamil service

	Nearly 200 manufacturers, some from India, are taking part in the trade fair

The fair is being held at Jaffna for three days starting 18 April , Mr. Poornachandran, President of the JCCI, told BBC Tamil service.

Nearly 200 manufacturers including ten from India are exhibiting their machinery and technology at the JCCI fair at Central College Jaffna.

The fair is organised to improve and uplift the economy of Jaffna consequent upon the situation being better now said, Mr. Poornachandran.

He also says that 175 organisations from Colombo and 25 local manufactures have put up stalls in the exhibition.

New manufacturing process and technology were being introduced to the Jaffna people in the fair according the president of the JCCI.

'No technology' for decades

Due to the internal civil war in the country between the now militarily defeated LTTE and the Sri Lanka security forces, no technology or technological development reached the people of Jaffna, he says.

	JCCI is optimistic that production facilities in Jaffna could considerably improve

"This fair gave us an opportuntiy to learn and have access to new technology" says the JCCI president who also feels that the local people would learn the technology and adapt it to the local requirements.

He sounds optimistic that production facilities in Jaffna could improve considerably since the locals evinced keen interest at the exhibition.

Jaffna produces lot of fruits and vegetables according Poorchandran, and as such equipments and technology relating to food processing and packaging was displayed most and the centre piece of the first Jaffna international trade fair.

Shortage of engineers

The president of the JCCI says the shortage of engineers in Jaffna could be overcome through joint venture partnership with either Colombo or Indian based industries.

He also says that they have started improving the industrial scenario in Jaffna based on the exsisting infrastructure facilities.

The JCCI points out that the government has started developing road facilities and improved electricity supplies to Jaffna area.

The water requiremtents needed for the new industries in Jaffna are also being addressed by the government.

New Joint ventrues are likely to be signed in the next couple of days on the conclusion of the first international trade exhibition, according to the JCCI president.