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.
Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has banned 22 institutions operating illegal pyramid schemes, no legal action has been taken against any of them so far, according to reports.
This was disclosed during a workshop held at the CBSL yesterday (July 08) on the dangers of pyramid schemes.
According to CBSL officials, after initial investigations, the files were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.
The CID’s Financial Crimes Unit has reportedly completed its investigations and submitted findings to the Attorney General’s Department, which is responsible for filing cases.
However, it was noted that not a single case has been filed to date.
The CBSL states that investigations will be continued against companies engaged in these illegal practices and hopes at least one or two such cases would be filed by the end of this year or early next year (2026).
U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National People’s Power (NPP) National List Member of Parliament before the Speaker of the House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (July 09).
He fills the Parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma last month.
