Sri Lanka participates in 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai
Daily FT: Sri Lanka has represented at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) consecutively, the world’s first national-level exhibition themed on imports, which was successfully concluded on 10 November 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.
With more than 4,000 exhibitors from over 155 countries, regions and organisations around the world, Sri Lanka competed with a range of potential export products from the Export Development Board, Tea Board, Coconut Development Authority, Handicrafts Board, National Gem and Jewellery Authority in the Country Pavilion, along with over 30 enthusiastic Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who showcased gem and jewellery and food and agriculture products in the Enterprise Pavilion at the 8th CIIE.
World-renowned blue sapphires, spices and handicrafts and emerging coconut oil and coconut-based products from Sri Lanka attracted global customers, who refreshed with ever-popular Ceylon Tea and beverages of the iconic ‘Elephant House’ brand that made its debut this CIIE along with tasty food products manufactured in Sri Lanka.
The largest ever CIIE, jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, was inaugurated by the Chinese Premier on last 5th, aiming to further open the country’s market to the globe for mutual sharing and equal opportunities, with intended transaction volume of $ 83.5 billion.
Since its inception in 2018, the CIIE has become a vital global platform for deepening multilateral economic cooperation with a growth of 4.4% since the last CIIE.
OSL take:
The expansion in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export industries has also shown an expansion in the country’s access to foreign markets. While the many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries have helped boost the country’s exports industry, the local authorities are engaged in continuous promotional campaigns in new foreign markets while also looking at further expanding Sri Lanka’s trade ties with foreign countries to include more new markets. Local export authorities are also focused on pushing local exporters to add more value to their products while diversifying Sri Lanka’s existing export product portfolio to suit the fast-evolving demands of the global consumer. As seen in the story above, the presence of Sri Lankan products in foreign expos have also increased in the past few years thereby giving a further boost to Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export industries. All these factors have contributed to the expansion in business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export industries as well as related sectors. Given the increasing business and growth potential, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and exports industries.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20251117/Z_3 |