The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Shanghai has made arrangements to organize Sri Lanka’s participation at the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE),which is currently taking place at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.
This event is held annually from 5th-10th November, and organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government with assistance from the World Trade Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, China International Import Expo Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Centre(Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
The Sri Lanka Food and Agriculture Pavilion at this year’s event includes 18 companies. The participants from Sri Lanka will be attending the Expo through their Agents in China. Further, a common display area is organized as a cluster of offerings for different products which provides visitors an exclusive experience with the unique taste of Sri Lanka’s food products.
This section includes Ceylon Spices, Ceylon Tea, coconut-related products and processed food products such as kithul products, sauces, confectionaries, etc. A company which manufactures and exports eco-friendly, coir-based products is displaying their products at the Consumer Goods section, and its product range includes Thavasi Brushes, brooms and mats etc.
The EDB believes that CIIE, 2021 is a great platform to promote Sri Lankan products to the Chinese market and to identify the right distribution channels/ reliable business partners in China amidst growth in the Chinese consumer market. It is noted that the changes in purchasing patterns through E-commerce platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic have created challenges as well as opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to explore this lucrative and competitive market.
As per the statistics released by China’s Statistics Department, its economy grew by 18.3%and retail sales rose by 34.2% during the first half of 2021.China was the 8th largest exportd estination of Sri Lanka, generating an export value of US$ 223Mn in 2020 with main export products being tea, activated carbon, electronic & electrical products, coir fibre, apparel, mineral sands, petroleum products, pneumatic and retreated rubber tyres & tubes. In addition, Sri Lanka also has a potential to supply products such as gemstones, quality spices, coconut and coir products.
