The 8th China -South Asia Expo and the 28th China Kunming Import and Export Fair which was co -hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People’s Government of Yunnan province together with the Commercial Authorities of the South Asian countries was held from 23rd to 28th of July, 2024 in Kunming. The Expo was attended by high level dignitaries, official delegations and business delegations from South Asian and South East Asian countries.
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka was the chief guest of the 8th China -South Asia Expo. Sri Lanka Pavilion was represented by 106 companies covering diverse products such as Ceylon Tea, Gems and Jewellery, Coconut kernal products & Cocopeat, Handicrafts, Batiks, Wellness products, processed food and confectionary.
This year's theme of the event is "Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development". The Expo featured 15 pavilions including Science and Technology, Manufacturing, Green Energy, Modern Agricultural, Domestic Cooperation, Overseas Pavilion, South Asia Pavilion etc. representing over 2000 exhibitors.
Parallel to the Expo, many forums were organized with great interaction with the participation from the South Asian Countries. Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing represented Sri Lanka delivering Country speeches at these events. China South Asia Cooperation Forum, Digital Co-operation Initiative Matchmaking Conference, Seminar between Chinese and South Asian Governments, Industries, Universities and Research Institutions, Tea Festival of South Asian Countries, Online and Offline Commodity Promotion, Seminar on Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Promotion are represented by Sri Lanka.
China -South Asian Expo has become a platform for mutual beneficial cooperation on diverse sectors such as trade & investment, culture, education, and people to people friendship. Sri Lankan companies including SMEs were received an opportunity for understand Chinese market and the current trend and development to focus the business expansion to Chinese market.
The recently launched ‘Trade Up Sri Lanka” SME sector development programme by the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Food Security together with the Department of Commerce will focus on the China market in future to find more business opportunities for the emerging SME entrepreneurs.
The Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples’ Republic of China and the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province reassured the support to be extended to the development of the bi-lateral trade between two countries including the SME sector development of Sri Lanka.
The business delegation was organized by the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Food Security together with the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka with support of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing. Mr A M P M B Atapattu, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Food Security led the business delegation of Sri Lanka. International Finance Corporation (IFC) and CHEC Port City Colombo (Private) Limited supported to the succession of the event and the investment opportunities in the Colombo Port City were promoted throughout the event.
Ministry of Trade, Commerce & Food Security
06.08.2024
