Sri Lanka China Trade and Investment Council congratulates President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

The Sri Lanka China Trade and Investment Council offered its congratulations to new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, saying it believed his election marked the dawn of a new era of greater cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. The following is the full statement.    

President Sun Lai Yung and the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka China Trade and Investment Council congratulates His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa on being elected the seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka. The council believes it is a dawn of a new era for greater cooperation and the increase of the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and China. Under the leadership of President Gotabaya, the SLCTIC looks forward for a prosperous relationship between these two nations. SLCTIC looks forward to tremendous changes for Sri Lanka through Chinese investment in the areas of light manufacturing, green energy, develop agriculture through Chinese knowhow and to increase Sri Lankan exports to China. 

China being the second largest economy holds great potential for Sri Lankan trade especially in the areas of exporting seafood, fruits, vegetables, tea, gems and jewellery and establishing a robust manufacturing sector as listed below. 

In the past, through Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, Sri Lankan youth were able to learn skills in the construction trade. Such employments have lifted the rural youth to gain their respect and earn a fair livelihood.

SLCTIC President Sun Lai Yung believes the new regime will need to review investment policies that will attract investments from China and other countries as well. The council will strive to bring Chinese investors to establish non-polluting and environmentally friendly industries.

SLCTIC believes such investments will result in building an export-oriented economy and exports of the above products to the SAARC and the ASEAN region.  SLCTIC urges the President to look into signing regional trade agreements which will foster greater trade, investment and movement of people of both nations to increase tourism. The SLCTIC membership consists of 60% Chinese companies. The council’s objective is to foster sustainable economic growth where the rural youth have an opportunity to gain technical skills. The council has the facility to teach spoken Chinese to corporate staff and Sri Lankan construction workers. The council allows Sri Lankan companies to partner Chinese investors for business and trade opportunities. President Sun Lai Yung and the Executive Council congratulate His Excellency and wish for a peaceful and economically vibrant Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka China Trade and Investment Council is located at No. 6A, Barnes Place Colombo 7. For more information visit www.slctic.com.