Sri Lanka invited for Kunming Fair

Business with China grows to $ 80 million :

The Yunnan Province of China has invited Sri Lanka to participate at the fourth South Asian countries trade fair and business forum scheduled to be held in June this year.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at a meeting held at his Ministry with Government officials and members said preparatory work on Sri Lanka's participation at this important Trade Fair and the Business Forum is under way. The Minister highlighted the excellent relationship between Sri Lanka and China and it has been further consolidated by frequent promotional activities carried out by the governments of both countries.

The export turnover from Sri Lanka to China increased last two years significantly from US $ 59 million in 2009 and US$ 80 million in 2010 The most important feature of Sri Lanka exports to China is that out of 50 Asian countries Sri Lanka is among the eight countries that have been able to make a remarkable growth in exports to China.

The South Asian Countries Trade Fair (SACTF) is an annual trade fair organized parallel to the China Import and Export Fair known as the Kunming Fair and it is exclusively limited only for South Asian Region countries.

In addition a three day Business Forum is also organized to coincide with the Trade Fair.

Sri Lanka has been actively participating in this fair and was able to shown very positive results.

Last year Sri Lanka's pavilion won the best country pavilion award at the SACTF. This year Sri Lanka expects to take over hundred Sri Lankan exporters for this event. The Trade Fair organized by the Commerce Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of Yunnan Province at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Center in Kunming City will be from June 6 to 10 and the Business Forum will be held from June 5 to 7 in Kunming. The Minister said organizers have offered free 100 display stalls with fixtures and fitting and selection of exhibitors will be done by a panel selected by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. The Minister appointed a committee consisting officials from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Commerce Department, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism, representatives and members from leading trade chambers. The Commerce Department will coordinate with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China.

The Minister requested all parties concerned to make a successful trade fair participation and a business forum to enhance our trade with China and to develop tourism by promoting Sri Lanka image.

Sri Lanka will target a few sectors such as gems and jewellery, tea, rubber products, coir products and garments.

Special attention will also be paid to SME sector as well.