Sri Lanka strengthens trade and investment ties with China at China–South Asia Exposition 2026

Sri Lanka successfully participated in the 10th China–South Asia Exposition (CSAE) and the 30th China (Kunming) Import and Export Fair held from 11 to 16 June 2026 in Kunming, China, further strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, and included Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing and the officials of the Department of Commerce, and over 250 business representatives from around 100 Sri Lankan exporters. Deputy  Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Minister Arun Premachandra also participated in the China–South Asia Cooperation Forum held alongside the Exposition.

Prior to the opening of the Exposition, the delegation participated in the 3rd Seminar between Chinese and South Asian Government Industries, Universities and Research Institutions, which focused on innovation, research collaboration, technology transfer and industrial partnerships.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister Samarasinghe emphasised the importance of strengthening market access, investment cooperation, SME partnerships, digital trade, and trade facilitation to support export-oriented economies. He underscored the need for deeper economic collaboration with China to promote sustainable growth, enhance trade opportunities, and foster shared prosperity across the region.

The Minister also inaugurated the Sri Lanka Pavilion, which featured 100 booths spanning more than 1,000 square metres and showcased a diverse range of Sri Lankan products and services, including Ceylon tea, spices, gems and jewellery, coconut-based products, seafood, apparel, handicrafts, wellness products, and aviation-related services.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the exposition has grown significantly in recent years, with the 2026 delegation representing one of the country’s largest business contingents to attend the event. Participating Sri Lankan companies reported successful product sales during the Fair and established promising business-to-business partnerships, paving the way for potential export deals, distributorship arrangements, and long-term commercial collaborations. Sri Lanka also participated in the South Asia Commodity (Tea) Festival to further promote Ceylon Tea in the Chinese market.

A dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) Matchmaking Event was organised by the authorities of the Yunnan Province in parallel with the Exposition to facilitate direct engagement between Sri Lankan and Chinese enterprises. A notable outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between M/S Premium Beverages Ltd., a Sri Lankan liquor exporter, and one of China’s leading winery and liquor distribution companies to promote Sri Lankan products in the Chinese market.

During the visit, Minister Samarasinghe and the delegation held discussions with the Governor of Yunnan Province and the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province on expanding trade and investment cooperation, improving market access and strengthening logistics connectivity between Sri Lanka and China.

The delegation also visited the Kunming Comprehensive Bonded Zone, where the Chinese Government has expressed its willingness to provide Sri Lankan exporters with access to free warehouse facilities under the “Three Facilitations and Three Exemptions” initiative. The proposed facility is expected to strengthen supply chain connectivity, improve trade efficiency, and support the expansion of Sri Lankan products in the Chinese market.

The China–South Asia Exposition, jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Government of Yunnan Province, continues to serve as one of the region’s premier platforms for promoting trade, investment, business networking, and people-to-people exchanges between China and South Asian countries. The organisers provided the entire Sri Lanka Pavilion free of charge, while the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka successfully coordinated the country’s participation in close collaboration with the organisers, participating Sri Lankan companies, and other key stakeholders. In recognition of its outstanding efforts in organising and facilitating Sri Lanka’s participation, the Department of Commerce was awarded the “Outstanding Exhibition Organiser Award” by the Exposition organisers.

Sri Lanka’s successful participation at the Exposition has further strengthened its longstanding ties with China and created new opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration. The Government of Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting exporters, expanding access to international markets, and deepening economic engagement with China, the world’s second-largest consumer market.