Sri Lanka gem and jewelery exhibitors and participants have drawn large crowds for their exhibits in the 19th China Import and Export Commodities Fair and fourth South Asian Nations’ Trade Fair currently held at Kunming China.
The South Asian Countries' trade fair is an annual regional trade show organized in parallel to the China Import and Export Fair known as the Kunming Fair and is limited to South Asian countries. This year’s fair started on June 05 and set to end on June 10. Kunming is a known transportation hub in south-western China, located within the Yunnan Province. Sri Lankan participation at this years’ Kunming show saw 100 exhibitors from the country.
Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Chairman of Export Development Board Janaka Ratnayake took part in the inaugural ceremony along with Chinese leaders. Prime Minister Jayaratne also visited all exhibition pavilions at the show on June 7, joined by Minister Bathiudeen.
“Sri Lanka’s participation in Kunming has been strengthening during the past few years. Our 50 plus exhibitors last year now stands at 100 participants” Prime Minister Jayaratne said. Miniser Bathiudeen, meanwhile moderated the China – South Asia Business Forum held concurrently, which was Chaired by Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne.
According to Minister Bathiudeen, Sri Lanka's export earnings from China went up by 50 percent to US$ 80 million in 2010 from US$ 59 million from the previous year.