📈 Strategic Economic Boost: Jaffna Trade Fair & Northern Investment Summit 2026

The Northern province recently concluded two landmark events aimed at accelerating regional growth and fostering entrepreneurship. The 16th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) and the inaugural Northern Investment Summit highlighted a shift toward modernizing the region’s economic landscape. • Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) 2026: • Over 400 stalls featured sectors including construction, agriculture, ICT, and automobiles. • Participation from 200+ companies and approximately 5,000 business delegates, including international representatives. • Historically the largest post-conflict platform for Northern industry linkage over the past 16 years. • Northern Investment Summit Highlights: • Inaugurated by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development at the Jaffna Cultural Centre. • High-level state participation from the BOI, EDB, and the Tourism Promotion Bureau. • Key focus areas included renewable energy, community tourism, and ICT/BPM startups. • Strategic support from India and the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Chennai to drive foreign direct investment (FDI). • Economic Impact & Outlook: • Integration of the two events is proposed for 2027 to maximize employment and regional visibility. • The summit acts as a catalyst to bridge the gap between Northern potential and Southern capital, specifically targeting youth entrepreneurs (ages 19–35). • Emerging interest in niche sectors like leisure tourism (golf) to diversify the Northern provincial economy.