Sri Lanka holds China-Sri Lanka Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Conference
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing together with the China-Sri Lanka Chamber of Economic and Trade Cooperation has recently organised a China-Sri Lanka Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Conference at the Embassy.
According to reports, the event was mainly focused on promoting investment opportunities, trade and tourism among potential Chinese investors and tour operators. Officials from leading Chinese companies, including the CZK Industry Group, Hunan Construction Engineering Group, Caissa Travel Group, Yuan’s Seed Company Ltd., members from the China-Sri Lanka Association for Trade and Economic Cooperation (CSLATE), and embassy officials attended the event.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Dr. Palitha Kohona had delivered the keynote address, highlighting opportunities available in Sri Lanka for investment, trade, tourism, education and other sectors.
He had noted that it was vital to organise events such as this, where Chinese and Sri Lankan companies could meet and exchange views and enhance cooperation.
Dr. Kohona had added that Sri Lanka tourism expected to closely work with Chinese tour operators and increase to at least one million Chinese tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
During the event, CSLATE had signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with CZK Industry Group and Hunan Construction Engineering Group. Beijing Sri Road Trading Co. Ltd., owned by a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, had also signed a MoU with Hunan Construction Engineering Group, to promote and market Sri Lankan snacks, including confectionary products, on board of high speed trains originating from Guangzhou.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka and China enjoy strong bilateral and trade ties with China also playing a key role in Sri Lanka’s development programme. Sri Lanka also figures prominently in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) increasing Chinese business/investment interest in the country. With Sri Lanka fast becoming an emerging business destination in the South Asian region supported by the country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as concessions enjoyed by the and the continuously improving ease of doing business environment in the country have presented an attractive business/investment opportunity for Chinese businesses/investors. Chinese businesses could also look at setting up base in Sri Lanka to engage with other countries or look at forming partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/08112021/Z_4 |