Yunnan Province economic delegation here

A fifteen member economic delegation from the Yunnan Province in China visited the BOI to study the economic and investment climate of Sri Lanka.

BOI Deputy Director General (Investment and Promotion) A M C Kulasekera briefed Economic Research Department of Yunnan Province Yang Jie, Vice Director General, and his delegation consisting of senior Chinese economists and researchers on Sri Lanka's potential for investment and trade.

Yang stated that the strategic objective of his mission, which has the support of China's Central Government, was for Yunnan to develop and strengthen its ties with South Asian countries.

He added that he was impressed with the situation in Sri Lanka and was confident that there was great potential for exchanges with Yunnan Province. Yunnan, like Sri Lanka has a dynamic tourist sector and also had accorded considerable importance to investment. Kulasekera said Yunnan had one of the best investment promotion agencies in China and was confident that there were many opportunities for co-operation. Both sides agreed to work together at the Kunming Trade and Investment Fair in Yunnan Province, where the BOI will be participating.

The Yunnan economic delegation also agreed to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for investment. In recent years China has emerged as one of the leading sources of investment to Sri Lanka among East Asian nations.

The growing economic ties between Sri Lanka and China is reflected by the regular hosting by BOI of regional Chinese business chambers notably from Shanghai, Eastern China and from Fujian province.

Furthermore there is a Chinese economic presence in the island in the form of the BOI promoted Special Economic Zone in Mirigama dedicated for Chinese enterprises.