Sri Lanka draws strong crowds at Kunming trade show

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery exhibitors and participants drew large crowds for their exhibits in the 19th China Import and Export Commodities Fair and fourth South Asian Nations’ Trade Fair in Kunming, China.

The South Asian Countries’ trade fair is an annual regional trade show organised in parallel to the China Import and Export Fair known as the Kunming Fair and is limited to South Asian countries.

This year’s fair started on 5 June and ended on 10 June.

Kunming is a known transportation hub in south-western China, located within the Yunnan Province. Sri Lankan participation at this year’s Kunming show saw 100 exhibitors from the country.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, joined (among others) by Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Chairman of Export Development Board Janaka Ratnayake took part in the inaugural ceremony along with Chinese leaders.

Prime Minister Jayaratne also visited all exhibition pavilions at the show on 7 June, joined by Minister Bathiudeen.

“Sri Lanka’s participation in Kunming has been strengthening during the past few years. Our 50 plus exhibitors last year now stands at 100 participants,” Prime Minister Jayaratne said.

Minister Bathiudeen meanwhile moderated the China-South Asia Business Forum held concurrently, which was Chaired by Jayaratne.

In March 2011 Huang Shah, Vice Chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, at a meeting with Bathiudeen announced that China would allocate a special area for Sri Lanka in this Kunming international trade fair and also give 100 free booths for Sri Lankan exhibitors.

According to Minister Bathiudeen, Sri Lanka’s export earnings from China went up by 50 per cent to US$ 80 million in 2010 from US$ 59 million from the previous year.