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.
A discussion on preparing a national-level road safety plan under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme was held today (April 30) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The incidence of road accidents in Sri Lanka is on the rise, leading to a growing number of fatalities and injuries.
Recognizing the urgent need to raise public awareness on accident prevention and promote discipline in road use, this national plan is being formulated as a key initiative under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.
The programme aims to uplift society by fostering social, environmental and moral consciousness. A central focus is placed on building a disciplined society and responsible citizens.
The discussion was attended by the senior officials representing the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the National Council on Road Safety, the Independent Television Network (ITN), representatives from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media (Social and Ethics Divisions), Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the National Hospital (Accident and Emergency Department), Prof. Sivakumar and Prof. H.R. Pasidu from the University of Moratuwa, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) and other relevant officials.
The CPC has reduced fuel prices with effect from midnight today (April 30).
The price reductions of a litre of fuel are as follows : Octane 92 Petrol – reduced by Rs.06 to Rs.293 Octane 95 Petrol – reduced by Rs.20 to Rs.341 Auto Diesel – reduced by Rs.12 to Rs.274 Super Diesel – reduced by Rs. 06 to Rs.325 Kerosene – reduced by Rs.05 to 178
Laugfs Gas PLC, one of the two largest liquefied petroleum (LP) gas suppliers in the country, announced that the company will not revise domestic LP gas prices for the month of May 2025.
This was communicated by the Cluster Director/CEO of Laugfs Gas PLC, Dr. Niroshan J Peiris.
