Sri Lanka businesses can reap more benefits when Asia Pacific Trade Agreement Chamber (APTA CCI) is set up in May in Beijing China, said President designate of APTA, Dr. Rohitha Silva.
He said that this Chamber is been set up by the United Nations UNESCAP and is the only such Chamber in the world. APTA CCI consists of federations and other lead chambers from Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Laos, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.
“The main objectives of the APTA CCI are to promote trade, investment and capacity development among APTA countries and it will have its headquarters in Beijing, China in May.
He said that the new APTA CCI has arranged a business delegation from China to Sri Lanka in August which would consist of 30 leading companies. Their main is to set up joint ventures in ventures in Sri Lanka and also look at importing raw material such as rubber and agro based products from Sri Lanka to China.”
This would be a good opportunity for Sri Lankan companies to come to Joint ventures with them and look at introducing some Sri Lanka brands in China. Already Ministry of Crabs has opened a restaurant in Shanghai and more Lankan companies could follow.”
He also said that the APTA CCI headquarters would be set up in China by 2022 and the Chinese business community as a part of their CSR would invest around 5 billion Chinese Yuan for it.
The headquarters would a 28 floor complex in a four acre land and it would have large conference halls similar to BMICH, large hotel and many other facilities including six areas to showcase products and services of the six member countries.
Coordinator of APTA CCI, Asia, Hui Dias Bandaranayake said that Sri Lanka has made history in Beijing, China recently by been added to this body and also been awarded the first ever Presidency of it. “Chinese companies are keen to do businesses with Sri Lanka due to its geographical advantage being placed in China’s Beat and Road initiative and also the FTA’s it has with neighboring counties. In addition the Port City and Hambantota Harbor projects too would bring in more Chinese investors to Sri Lanka.”
She said that Sri Lanka is yet to tap the Chinese tourist potential.
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