Sri Lanka successfully participated in the 10th China–South Asia Exposition (CSAE) and the 30th China (Kunming) Import and Export Fair held from 11–16 June 2026 in Kunming, China, further strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and included Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing and the officials of the Department of Commerce, and over 250 business representatives from around 100 Sri Lankan exporters. Hon. Arun Premachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, also participated in the China–South Asia Cooperation Forum held alongside the Exposition.

Prior to the opening of the Exposition, the delegation participated in the 3rd Seminar between Chinese and South Asian Government Industries, Universities and Research Institutions, which focused on innovation, research collaboration, technology transfer and industrial partnerships.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister Samarasinghe emphasized the importance of strengthening market access, investment cooperation, SME partnerships, digital trade, and trade facilitation to support export-oriented economies. He underscored the need for deeper economic collaboration with China to promote sustainable growth, enhance trade opportunities, and foster shared prosperity across the region. The Minister also inaugurated the Sri Lanka Pavilion, which featured 100 booths spanning more than 1,000 square meters and showcased a diverse range of Sri Lankan products and services, including Ceylon tea, spices, gems and jewellery, coconut-based products, seafood, apparel, handicrafts, wellness products, and aviation-related services.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the exposition has grown significantly in recent years, with the 2026 delegation representing one of the country’s largest business contingents to attend the event. Participating Sri Lankan companies reported successful product sales during the Fair and established promising business-to-business partnerships, paving the way for potential export deals, distributorship arrangements, and long-term commercial collaborations. Sri Lanka also participated in the South Asia Commodity (Tea) Festival to further promote Ceylon Tea in the Chinese market.

A dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) Matchmaking Event was organized by the authorities of the Yunnan Province in parallel with the Exposition to facilitate direct engagement between Sri Lankan and Chinese enterprises. A notable outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between M/s Premium Beverages (Pvt) Ltd, a Sri Lankan liquor exporter, and one of China’s leading winery and liquor distribution companies to promote Sri Lankan products in the Chinese market.

During the visit, Minister Samarasinghe and the delegation held discussions with the Governor of Yunnan Province and the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province on expanding trade and investment cooperation, improving market access and strengthening logistics connectivity between Sri Lanka and China.

The delegation also visited the Kunming Comprehensive Bonded Zone, where the Chinese Government has expressed its willingness to provide Sri Lankan exporters with access to free warehouse facilities under the “Three Facilitations and Three Exemptions” initiative. The proposed facility is expected to strengthen supply chain connectivity, improve trade efficiency, and support the expansion of Sri Lankan products in the Chinese market.

The China–South Asia Exposition, jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Government of Yunnan Province, continues to serve as one of the region’s premier platforms for promoting trade, investment, business networking, and people-to-people exchanges between China and South Asian countries. The organizers provided the entire Sri Lanka Pavilion free of charge, while the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka successfully coordinated the country’s participation in close collaboration with the organizers, participating Sri Lankan companies, and other key stakeholders. In recognition of its outstanding efforts in organizing and facilitating Sri Lanka’s participation, the Department of Commerce was awarded the “Outstanding Exhibition Organizer Award” by the Exposition organizers. Sri Lanka’s successful participation at the Exposition has further strengthened its longstanding ties with China and created new opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration. The Government of Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting exporters, expanding access to international markets, and deepening economic engagement with China, the world’s second-largest consumer market.

A stakeholder meeting was convened by the Department of Commerce on 21st May, 2026, as a follow-up to the meeting held between Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, and Ceylon National Chamber of Industries to discuss the matters pertaining to trade between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Ms. Gilma Dahanayake, Additional Secretary (Trade & Research) of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, and Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General of Commerce (Actg.).

Key line ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Ceylon Shipping Corporation attended the meeting. Representing the private sector, leading Chambers in Sri Lanka, including Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs, Member companies of Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council, Ceylon Association of Shipping agents, also participated in the meeting.
During the discussions, the Director General of Commerce briefed on the objective of the meeting and the background of the initiative of the meeting, considering the importance of the Maldivian market. The Additional Secretary emphasized the importance of initiative, such as a stakeholder meeting with significant participation, and requested to share the issues and difficulties faced by companies that are engaged in businesses with the Maldives.

The discussion was moderated by Mr. Charitha Yattogoda, Director of Commerce and Head of Trade Promotion of the Department, and mainly highlighted trade-related issues faced by companies in expanding bilateral trade with the Maldives, particularly the high cost of shipping and air freight, which will directly impact the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports. The discussion facilitated the discussion of multisectoral issues related to understanding the importance of existing and new economic opportunities in the Maldives, including the sectors such as education, medical tourism, investment, and Government-to-Government engagements.

The participants also held interactive discussions on their views on possible solutions and continued the dialogue under specific sectors.