Many Sri Lankan businesses negotiate exports deals after Chinese Expo participation
A delegation of small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) who participated at the recent 3rd China South Asia Expo fair 2015 – “Kunming Expo Fair” – has had a resounding success in clinching several deals and developing further contacts with Chinese and other foreign businessmen to promote exports of Sri Lankan goods.
The delegation consisted of 260 representatives from 123 private sector organisations and six government sector organisations to showcase Sri Lankan products at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The convention was ceremonially opened by the Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao while the Sri Lankan pavilion was ceremonially opened by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen according to the Export Development Board. (EDB)
EDB Chairman Bandula Egodage told reporters that EDB’s primary focus was to encourage and develop SMEs to venture into export trade. ”The tea sector companies were able to establish trade contacts while the gem and jewellery sector and handicraft sectors were able to make spot sales at the fair. The best performing sectors at the fair were gem and jewellery, handicrafts, value added tea and coconut products.”
Managing Director of Lion’s Management (Pvt) Ltd Shriran Gunewardena who participated at the fair said that he was involved in the manufacture of tea in Sri Lanka for more than 30 years. He was able to make contact with four foreign buyers and is in the process of negotiating a deal with them. However due to high costs involved in participating at an international Expo he earnestly appealed to the EDB to provide some type of relief to participants by providing a subsidy scheme to cushion expenses involved in the manufacture of tea. He said he distributed around 5000 free samples to those who called at his stall. “Tea manufactured to high quality standards improves the image of the country. I hope to participate in future expo exhibitions and thank EDB for providing me with an opportunity,” he said.
Ms. Pubudu Kumari of Pubudu Handicrafts said she was able to reach out to Chinese and other buyers who showed interest in jewellery manufactured with seeds. She said buyers from also the US, France and Maldives who visited her stall showed great interest in her products and she is presently negotiating with them.