Addressing the occasion Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said, “Today is a great day for our consumers. After 13 years, CWE under my Ministry is actively re-entering the country’s wholesale business starting today. Our aim is to give the best price and support the Lankan customers as per the vision of the President Maithripala Sirisena and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe”.

CWE left its active wholesale market play back in 2003 and largely stayed away from the Lankan wholesale business, till its 10th April re-entry. The next regional CWE hubs will be opened in Badulla, Kurungala, Colombo and Kandy.

The Vavuniya CWE regional center will distribute Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) to entire Northern Province and is already in talks with Milco Pvt Ltd to clinch Milco’s sole distributorship to the Province.

According to the CWE Chairman Rizwan Hameem, they are planning to purchase wholesale rice directly from Paddy Marketing Board, sugar from Sugar Corporation and salt from Mantai Salt, so that they could give the best wholesale prices.

New CWE in Vavuniya has commenced its commercial activities from Monday (11th April).

The CWE is the Sri Lanka’s oldest state owned corporation, established in 1949.