Sri Lanka participates in 2021 China International Import Expo

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China and Sri Lanka Consulate General in Shanghai has made arrangements to organise Sri Lanka’s participation at the fourth 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 November 5-10 and organised by the Commerce Ministry of the People’s Republic of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, with the assistance from the World Trade Organisation, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, China International Import Expo Bureau and 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 organised 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 that manufactures and exports eco-friendly, coir-based products is displaying its 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 the 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 percent and retail sales rose by 34.2 percent during the first half of 2021. China was the eighth largest export destination of Sri Lanka, generating an export value of US $ 223 million in 2020, with main export products being tea, activated carbon, electronic and electrical products, coir fibre, apparel, mineral sands, petroleum products, pneumatic and retreated rubber tyres and tubes. In addition, Sri Lanka also has a potential to supply products such as gemstones, quality spices, coconut and coir products.