📈 Sri Lanka Boosts Trade & Investment Ties with China at CSAE 2026

Sri Lanka marked a powerful presence at the 10th China–South Asia Exposition (CSAE) in Kunming, China (June 11-16, 2026), fielding one of its largest-ever business contingents to deepen economic ties and expand market access. • Delegation & Scale: Led by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, the delegation included over 250 business representatives from roughly 100 Sri Lankan exporters. The Sri Lanka Pavilion spanned over 1,000 square metres across 100 booths, provided entirely free of charge by Chinese organizers. • Sector Highlights: The pavilion showcased diverse national exports including Ceylon tea, spices, gems and jewellery, coconut-based products, seafood, apparel, handicrafts, and wellness products. Sri Lanka also joined the South Asia Commodity (Tea) Festival to strategically position Ceylon tea in the Chinese market. • Key Outcomes & Agreements: • Companies reported strong retail sales and secured promising business-to-business (B2B) partnerships for potential future export and distribution deals. • A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Sri Lankan exporter M/S Premium Beverages Ltd. and a major Chinese winery/liquor distributor. • The Chinese Government offered Sri Lankan exporters free warehouse facilities at the Kunming Comprehensive Bonded Zone under its "Three Facilitations and Three Exemptions" initiative to optimize supply chain efficiency. • Recognition: The Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka was honored with the "Outstanding Exhibition Organiser Award" for its successful coordination of the massive trade delegation.