The fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is all set to be held in Shanghai from tomorrow (05) to next Thursday (10).
The aim is to help boost China’s high-quality economic development, widen opening-up, and achieve win-win results for both importers and exporters.
The event officially kicked off after a special keynote address made by Chinese President Xi Jinping this afternoon (04), a tradition that has been in place since the maiden CIIE In 2018.
Hopeful that negotiations on FTA will be reached soon The Chinese President’s address was followed by video messages from other heads of state and the initial message was by Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mr. Wickremesinghe said :
This international import theme expo fair is an innovative stage in the developing countries’ attempts to enter the Chinese market. The CIIE has allowed many countries and businesses to enjoy the benefit of the growing consumption appetite of the Chinese people. Sri Lanka has been participating in the CIIE since its inception. Our businesses have benefited greatly through this participation.
We have been provided the opportunity for our industry to establish a foothold in the Chinese market. Modern relations between Sri Lanka and China began with the rapper rice pack. This is for the Munich agreement at the time. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the package. The bilateral relationship between our two nations has since then expanded into numerous areas. Including trade, investment, tourism, education, defense and health. In 2021 the total volume of trade between our two nations was US dollars 4.3 billion.
China is Sri Lanka’s biggest source of imports and there is room to further develop bilateral trade.
We are hopeful that negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement will be reached in the near future.
“China is open for business” This year’s CIIE lays special emphasis on “I” for International. It will be bigger than the previous expos with more industrial sectors represented across companies. And it stresses that “China is open for business.”
The exhibition is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.
It is organized by China International Import Expo Bureau and Shanghai International Exhibition and National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
The body of one of the two fishermen who went missing after a multi-day fishing vessel capsized in the seas off the coast of Paravi Wella in Tangalle, has been recovered.
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) confirmed that the fisherman’s body was recovered during search operations, which were conducted with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
The fishing vessel, named “Maxim Putha 1,” was carrying six fishermen when the accident occurred while returning to shore after poaching.
A total of six fishermen were onboard the vessel when it capsized off the coast of Paravi Wella Beach in Tangalle, four of whom were rescued with the help of a dinghy.
Efforts are underway to locate the remaining missing fisherman.
Meanwhile, three other boat accidents were reported yesterday in seas off Galle, Kalutara and Hikkaduwa.
In response to a surge in dengue cases, health authorities will launch a special mosquito control program tomorrow (June 30), covering 16 high-risk districts across the country.
According to the National Dengue Control Unit, the program will be in continue until the 5th of July.
A total of 28,752 dengue cases have been reported islandwide so far this year.
The highest number of cases were recorded from the Western Province.
Sixteen dengue-related deaths have been reported so far this year.
Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi today offered one million rupees from the President’s Fund to ailing veteran singer Ishaq Baig for his treatments.
The Sri Lankan Singers’ Association had launched a campaign “Ishak ta Kotiyak” (Rs. 10 million for Ishak) to raise funds for Ishaq Baig’s treatment and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed to offer Rs. one million from the President’s Fund.
Minister Sunil Senevi visited Baig’s residence today and offered the cheque for one million rupees.
“Ishak ta Kotiyak”
Sri Lankan Singers’ Association President Rohan De Silva said they launched the campaign “Ishak ta Kotiyak” (Rs. 10 million for Ishak) to assist Ishaq Baig for his treatment and other expenses.
“Ishaq requires about Rs. 100,000 for his treatment and medicines monthly. We hope to make an investment with the funds so that Ishak could get at least Rs. 100,000 monthly for his expenses. We have been able to achieve the Rs. 10 million target within five days. However, we will keep the account open till the Esala Poya day while considering the request of well-wishers,” he said.
