Closer ties with Chambers in China

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) signed Cooperation Agreements in August 2008 with the Regional Offices of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Jiangsu, Fujian, Hunan, and Anhui in Eastern China.

Lal de Alwis, Senior Deputy President signed on behalf of the National Chamber of Commerce while the respective Presidents of the CCIPT Regional Offices inked the Agreements from the Chinese side.

These Agreements were a direct result of closer economic cooperation envisaged by President Rajapaksa when he visited Shanghai during the State Visit in February 2007 to mark 50 years of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa's vision to build strong economic links with many different provinces in Eastern China became a reality with the visit of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in December 2007 to open the Sri Lanka Consulate in Shanghai.

During the discussions the Consul and Chamber Officials had with the Officials of CCPIT from the Provinces, it was agreed to develop closer ties between the two institutions thus facilitating trade delegations, investment promotion and enhanced business to business and people to people contacts.

It was decided that a delegation from the Jiangsu CCPIT would undertake a visit to Sri Lanka during the latter part of this year. Discussions were also centered on the production of green tea and it was agreed that 10 - 20 Sri Lankan technicians would be trained in the techniques of producing green tea in the Province of Fujian.

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka agreed to organise workshops and exhibitions for Chinese entrepreneurs to showcase their products in Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time.

Forging of closer ties with these Provinces and the signing of the Cooperation Agreements were facilitated by the Consulate of Sri Lanka in Shanghai under the guidance of Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama.