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Friday, 7 March 2014 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Fujian, China’s emerging high growth province, is eager for more Sri Lankan exports to its demanding marketplace and a visiting delegation to Colombo pushed for direct links with Lankan businesses yesterday in Colombo.
“Sri Lanka has been rebuilt as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and I agree with you that both sides can mutually benefit in many sectors of cooperation, including trade. In fact, we want Sri Lanka-Fujian trade to grow in Sri Lanka’s favour,” said a keen Song Kening, Director-General of Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs yesterday in Colombo.
Kening was addressing the Sri Lankan business team led by EDB Chairman/CEO Bandula Egodage along with EDB ED Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar, EDB DG Sujatha Weerakoone and EDB sectoral representatives at EDB premises, Colombo.
Kening is now in Colombo on a three-day official visit leading a 21-member strong business and investment delegation (which he termed as an economic delegation) from Fujian Province, China, facilitated by EDB (for B2B as well as networking). Director-General Kening, who handles foreign relations of Fujian, is on par with the rank of any Chinese Provincial Foreign Minister.
Among the leading Fujian firms and institutions in this Fujian delegation were China National Engineering Research Centre of JUNCAO Technology, Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University, Centron Communication Technologies Fujian Co, Fuzhon Xinbei Bio-Chemical Industry Co, Yuangdong Huamei electric Motors, Gold Billras Water Environmental Engineering Co, Fujian Minwell Industrial Co, Fujian ABLE Motor Group Co, Ningde Junlv Agriculture Co, Ningde Hongdi Hotel Co, Fuzon Fanrong Jewelry Co, and Beijing Guo Chatang Health Technological Development Co.
Among the Sri Lankan businesses taking part, facilitated by EDB, were Tropical Foods, Global Seafoods, Hayleys Fibre, Micro Cars PLC, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), Electronics Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, SLAMERP, Raigam Marketing, Global Rubber Industries, COSTI, Nature’s Beauty Creations, Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters and FGM Lanka, among others. During 06 March meeting, Lankan fisheries/seafood, tea, gem and jewellery, tourism, electronics and cosmetics appeared to have drawn the immediate attention of the visiting Fujian delegation.
“Investment, tourism and trade – all these are aspects of commercial diplomacy,” said EDB Chairman/CEO Egodage, who warmly welcomed Kening and the delegation to EDB. “We should not restrict ourselves to discussions but also set up an action plan after this session. I also urge potential partners at both sides to forge direct contacts with each other right here. Both sides can mutually benefit in many sectors of cooperation, including trade,” Egodage added.
“Sri Lanka has been rebuilt as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. I agree with you that both sides can mutually benefit in many sectors of cooperation, including trade,” responded Kening. “Post-war Sri Lanka’s economic momentum is good. We are confident of Sri Lanka’s progress and very happy to partner with Sri Lanka. There is also good cooperation between people of Sri Lanka and Fujian and Fujian government attaches great importance to this connection. With this visit, we aim for stronger ties, friendship and networking mechanism. This delegation is only 21 members but they represent the typical business sector of Fujian.
“During this visit, we want to establish direct links with Lankan entrepreneurs and Fujian businesses. We sincerely appreciate Sri Lanka EDB’s efforts to this end. In 2013, Fujian Province exported $ 170 m to Sri Lanka while it imported only $ 13 m goods from Sri Lanka. We want Sri Lanka-Fujian trade to grow in Sri Lanka’s favour. With this latest initiative, there is opportunity for more Sri Lankan products to enter the Fujian market. Lack of natural disasters, strong ocean resources and access, mild, stable year-round weather are very attractive ‘Lankan factors’ for Fujian businesses and investors. You see, China is a huge seafood consumer. Many Lankan seafood exporters present here today arranged by EDB is therefore a very encouraging situation to us!”
“Let us move forward together for win-wins,” said EDB DG Sujatha Weerakoone addressing Kening. “We also invite you enter and invest here and partner with us for domestic value addition,” DG Weerakoone said.
Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Media Director Dilip S. Samarasinghe briefed the visiting delegation on Lankan investment openings and shared the Chinese language BoI handbook on investing in Sri Lanka with the members of the delegation who eagerly snapped copies of it.
