China Guangxi product exhibition to expand trade opportunities in SL

From left: China Business Council, Sri Lanka President Yasantha Abeykoon, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Secretary General Ajith D. Perera, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka President Sujeeve Samaraweera, Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China Director Diao Weihong and Ninehearts Group of Companies Chairman Thilak Godamanna - Pix by Ruwan Walpola

By Shannon Jayawardena

The China Guangxi product exhibition, which is to be held from the 18 to 20 May, is to further expand both economic and trade opportunities between the two countries, said officials at a press conference held recently.

The three-day exhibition will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. alongside a ‘Trade and Investment Environment Promotion in Sri Lanka and China Sri Lanka Enterprises Matching’ meeting.

The exhibition is organised by the Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, together with Canton Fair Advertising as the co-organiser, and is supported by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, and the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka.

Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, Director Diao Weihong said: “The exhibition is to strengthen the economic ties between Sri Lanka and China, especially the partnership between Guangxi and Sri Lanka. The exhibition will also showcase hundreds of premium products and some of the best sellers from across the world. Guangxi is an important province in China and plays an important role in the One Belt One Road Initiative. 

Weihong added that Guangxi and Sri Lanka have a very bright future ahead, which the event will play a key initiative in. He also emphasised on the fact that the exhibition will create a new platform for trade and economy while finding new sources for the countries’ future. 

The fair will also give place to 70 booths representing 120 exhibitors from China. A variety of jewellery displays, tea shows and other fun activities will commence during the course of the three days as well. 

A range of new products from five categories, including building materials and machinery, food and tea, home textile and clothing, daily household handicrafts and electronic products will be showcased at the event. 

National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka President Sujeeva Samaraweera stated: “We have been talking for many years about developing our partnership and now, it has developed through the One Belt One Road Initiative. China is now our largest importer. We know that the quality of products in China have greatly developed so we now look at it with different perspectives. Samaraweera stressed on the fact that if we want to sell our products on an international market, we have to be competitive, and in order to increase productivity, we need to develop machinery. Hence, we are looking at China and learning from them. The event will also open up great opportunities for all Sri Lankan entrepreneurs as well.

According to statistics from China Customs, the bilateral trade volume between China and Sri Lanka was $4.4 billion in 2017, and the trade volume between Guangxi and Sri Lanka was $45.73 million, which shows the huge growth potential that the exhibition will be focused on. 

China Business Council, Sri Lanka, President Yasantha Abeykoon, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Secretary General Ajith D. Perera and the Ninehearts Group of Companies Chairman Thilak Godamanna were members of the head table at the press conference.