21st Century Maritime Silk Road Exposition and Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade, Fuzhou City

On the invitation of the Fujian Provincial People’s Government, the State Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, Ranjith Aluwihara and Consul General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou, participated at several important events of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Exposition and Cross-Straits for Fair Economy and Trade from 18-22 May. Sri Lanka was honoured with the host country status, this year, at the exposition.

The fair is held annually since 1994, in Fuzhou City, an economic, cultural and transportation centre in the Fujian Province. The exposition is an important platform for showcasing investment as well as trade, and commits itself to pioneering the initiative of ‘Belt and Road’, for strengthening cooperation and exchanges with countries, along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as well as enhancing cross-strait economic and trade exchanges. 

Several Sri Lankan companies, in tea, gem and jewellery, handicrafts and latex sectors including Sinolan Teas Ltd., Gem Cabin, Solar Gems Jewellery Ltd., Githsara Gem and Jewellery participated and showcased their items at the exposition. It also gave them an opportunity to solidify commercial connections through interactions with their counterparts during the Matchmaking Session that took place after several enlightening company presentations by the companies.

State Minister Aluwihara addressed the gathering at the Investment Promotion Conference and at the Opening Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Pavilion and referred to the long lasting relations between the two countries and urged Chinese nationals to visit Sri Lanka for tourism and investment. 

Consul General Dharmasena, in her speech, at the Matchmaking session on 18 May, emphasised the importance of such activities which give the opportunity for companies, to have face to face interactions with their counterparts, bringing in avenues for trade enablement.