“Minister Bogollagama recalling his recent visit to China with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend the Boao Forum, said that the Chinese President, Hu Jintao had responded favourably to the President’s request that China lowers its tariffs, to facilitate greater market access for Sri Lankan exports. The Minister said that Sri Lanka’s imports from China currently standard at about US $ 1.3 billion, while her exports to China were in the region of US$ 30 million.”_________________________
(April 23, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama has sought increased investment from, and enhanced market access for Sri Lankan exports to the Zhejiang Province in China. He made this call during a meeting with a high level delegation led by Mr. Zhong Shan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Province of China, which is currently visiting the island on an invitation of the Minister, made during the Minister’s visit to the Province in December 2007. The meeting took place at the Foreign Ministry today (23 April 2008).
The visiting Vice Governor briefed the Foreign Minister on recent developments in his Province, in particular on the rapid economic progress that has been achieved in recent years. Zhejiang with a population of around 47 million is located on the Southeast coast of China with Hangzhou as its provincial capital. The Vice Governor noted that the Zhejiang Province accounts for 10 percent of the GNP of China and that last year its GDP amounted to US $ 250 billion. This figure is expected to reach US $ 300 billion this year. He further said that their annual import bill amounts to US $ 60 billion.
Minister Bogollagama recalling his recent visit to China with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend the Boao Forum, said that the Chinese President, Hu Jintao had responded favourably to the President’s request that China lowers its tariffs, to facilitate greater market access for Sri Lankan exports. The Minister said that Sri Lanka’s imports from China currently standard at about US $ 1.3 billion, while her exports to China were in the region of US$ 30 million. He stated that Sri Lanka’s export figures neither reflected her true economic potential nor her longstanding friendship and cooperation with China. The Minister suggested that Zhejiang could consider importing value added agricultural products and plantation crop products such as tea and rubber from Sri Lanka.
Minister Bogollagama briefed the Chinese delegation on the attractive incentives and facilities available for foreign investors in Sri Lanka, in particular, the Free Trade Zones, which are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for foreign companies to establish their enterprises. He also pointed out that Chinese investors could avail themselves of Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Agreements with India and Pakistan in order to gain access for their exports from Sri Lanka to these important markets.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the historical and political importance of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as Sri Lanka’s administrative capital and the vital role of Zhejiang Province in China’s rapid economic development. Vice Governor, Zhong Shan readily agreed to support the Minister’s request that the City of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte be linked to a sister city in the Zhejiang Province, in order to enhance greater people to people contact.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
Post a Comment