China promises further trade and investment promotion in Lanka
To work together to reduce trade deficit:
Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce Chen Jian expressed
interest in boosting two-way trade between the two countries and further
promoting investments during a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa
at Temple Trees yesterday.
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Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of
Commerce Chen Jian called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
Temple Trees yesterday. During the discussion Jian told the
President that China is interested in boosting two-way trade
between the two countries and further promoting investments.
Finance Deputy Minister and International Monetary
Cooperation Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Secretary to the
Treasury Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, President’s Chief-of-Staff
Gamini Senarath, Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary
Anura Siriwardena and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China
Ranjith Uyangoda were also present.
Picture by Sudath Silva |
President Rajapaksa thanked the Chinese Vice Minister for continued
assistance and noted that most of the major landmarks around Colombo
remind the Sri Lankan people of that support.
The delegation from China's Commerce Ministry is in Sri Lanka to take
part in the joint economic and trade commission during which the
delegations of the two countries will discuss plans for the next three
to five years. "Our bilateral relationship is in very good shape," Jian
said. "China and Sri Lanka have a long-standing and traditional
friendship. There is no barrier to further cooperation between us."
In order to further enhance bilateral relation Jian said China hoped
to focus on two areas. While China-Sri Lanka two-way trade is growing,
"the two countries should work together to reduce the trade deficit," he
said.
The Chinese officials informed President Rajapaksa that Sri Lankan
products are becoming more popular in China and that they hope more Sri
Lankan products will be introduced to the Chinese market in the future.
With regard to investment promotion, Jian indicated that China, in
addition to collaborating on large-scale projects would also like to
invest in small and medium-scale projects.
A delegation of high-ranking officials from the Chinese Ministry of
Commerce participated in the discussion.
Finance Deputy Minister and International Monetary Cooperation
Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama, Secretary to the Treasury Dr P B
Jayasundera, President's Chief-of-Staff Gamini Senarath, Secretary of
the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Anura Siriwardena and Sri Lanka's
Ambassador in China Ranjith Uyangoda were also present.
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