Trade delegation from Sichuan to visit Colombo
 

by Shirajiv Sirimane

A Chinese trade delegation from the Sichuan Province will visit Sri Lanka to establish business contacts here. This is subsequent to a business promotion trip made by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL) for the sixth Western Trade Fair in Chengdu China earlier this month.

The Chinese delegation to visit Sri Lanka would include businessmen involved in the rubber-based products, medical equipment suppliers and official's form the Western China University with whom the FCCISL signed an agreement to share

President FCCISL, Nawaz Rajabdeen said that their trip was very fruitful with the Federation signing an agreement to promote trade and economic development, investment and exchange of technology with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council. (CCPITSC) "This agreement will open new avenues of business between Sri Lanka and the Sichuan Province, which is the hub for technical advancement and communication. CCPITSC is keen to invest in the electronic and machinery sector in Sri Lanka since they could manufacture in Sri Lanka and export to both India and Pakistan exploiting the FTA.

The South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) would also come into effect from 2006 and this too would be another advantage for Chinese investors.

The President also said that the Vice-Governor of Sichuan Provincial Government X. Huang has also assured that they would make arrangements to host a special Sri Lankan pavilion to showcase Lankan products free of charge at the next exhibition.

A proposal by the FCCISL for the Vice-Governor requesting him to promote Sri Lanka as a potential tourist destination was also accepted.

The FCCISL also signed an agreement with the Western China University to pave the way for Lankan students to follow courses in that University. According to Senior Vice President of the FCCISL Kosala Wickramanayake this would be a good opening for school leavers specially in the Mechanical, Agriculture and handicraft sector. "The advantage of this course is that it would be conducted in English and the certificate issued has international recognism," he said.

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (SCCI) Chairman Macky Hashim and Rajabdeen were also the keynote speakers on the opening day of the Western China Fair. They spoke on investing opportunities for Chines businessmen in Sri Lanka and the SAARC region.

Hashim said China could tap many investment opportunities in the region especially in power generation projects, infrastructure facilities such as highways, rail network, river basin and also rubber based industry.