Kunming ’14 rakes in $ 4.6 m in orders for Lankan businesses

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Good run: Rishad
181 Lankan firms in delegation: Egodage
Pulls strong crowds at 22nd Kunming fair in Yunnan
Loads of visitors for Lankan gems and Ayurveda
Some Lankan firms in talks with Chinese retail chains

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (centre) readies to inaugurate Sri Lanka Pavilion at the Kunming 2014 Expo on 6 June in Kunming, Yunnan Province

Sri Lanka has garnered more than $ 4.6 m in orders at the recently-concluded Kunming Int’l Fair in China – and this too is only from the initial overview of Kunming outcomes rather than any in-depth totals. “I am pleased about the performance of the delegation of 119 companies and businesses. I commend EDB for this successful facilitation effort,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday. Bathiudeen was responding to the briefing by EDB Chairman/CEO Chairman Bandula Egodage on the success of the recently concluded China-South Asia International Expo in Kunming, China. On 4 June, Bathiudeen led a Lankan delegation of 119 companies facilitated by the EDB to take part in the second China-South Asia Expo and 22nd Kunming Fair held in Kunming, China. The EDB was assisted by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing, China. The expo, which concluded on 10 June, featured over 1,000 enterprises from 46 countries and regions. The Kunming Fair has become one of the four top annual events (such as the Canton Fair) in China’s trade calendar.

Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen addressing the China-South Asia Business Forum held on the sidelines of Kunming event on 7 June in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Due to its high prominence in the trillion dollar GDP nation, the Kunming Fair has become the second biggest annual fair in the South West China region. Sri Lanka has consistently been one of the strongest South Asian participants at this expo. Sri Lanka has been taking part in this event since it was held for the first time in Beijing in 2007. The fair was jointly hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the Governments of Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi and Tibet, and Chengdu Municipal (People’s) Governments. Bathiudeen also took part in the China-South Asia Business Forum held on the sidelines of Kunming event on 7 June. Addressing the forum, Bathiudeen stressed: “China has been not only a promising market for Sri Lanka products, but also, a development partner. Total trade between the two countries has increased up to $ 3,619 m in 2013, showing a steady growth from $ 1,141 m recorded in 2006. It is important to note that these improvements are reflected in both directions in our bilateral trade. Sri Lanka’s exports to China, although it is still at a comparatively lower level, have increased from $ 35 million in 2006 to $ 182 million in 2013. This is a clear indication of the potential that exists for further expanding our exports to the large Chinese market. We are also pleased to see that Sri Lanka is among the few countries in the Asian region which recorded positive export growth with China during last few years.” The Sri Lanka pavilion was located at hall No. 6 in the South Asian pavilion at the fair. The participating Lankan businesses informed the EDB that at the end of the event they were in receipt of confirmed product orders exceeding $ 750,000 with additional $ 3 m under negotiation while more than $ 800,000 sales leads were generated for Lankan exports. This is apart from general sales inquiries for Lankan products to the tune of $ 140,000. The EDB delegation represented diverse product and service sectors such as tea, gem and jewellery, arts, crafts and handicrafts, coconut fibre, Ayurvedic and herbal products, and even gem cutting and polishing. According to the EDB, Sri Lankan gem and jewellery stalls attracted very high numbers for their displays while Lankan Ayurvedic preparations –a novelty to Kunming – also drew strong attention. A total of 119 Lankan businesses at Kunming Fair were assisted by EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar. At the 2nd Sourcing Event at the fair, which was one of the most influential brand-name activities of the Kunming Expo, some of the Sri Lankan companies met Chinese retail chains, wholesalers and supermarket representatives in China and had initial discussions. The BOI and the EDB made presentations at this event. The Sourcing Event consisted of professional sessions for purchasing commodities and services from South Asian countries.