The Sri Lanka–China Trade and Investment Forum 2025 convened today in Colombo, bringing together a high-profile delegation of over 115 senior representatives from 77 leading Chinese enterprises, alongside key figures from Sri Lanka’s public and private sectors.
Co-hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka–China Business Council, and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), the Forum marks a new chapter in trade and investment collaboration between the two nations.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka; and Krishan Balendra, Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Minister Fernando welcomed the Chinese delegation with a message highlighting the enduring partnership between the two countries, grounded in “shared values, mutual respect, and a history of growing economic cooperation.” He noted that the Forum builds on momentum from the recent 8th Session of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue to strengthen bilateral trade and investment.
Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s development, urging the two countries to broaden trade and economic engagement. He emphasized exploring new avenues within multilateral trading systems to enhance resilience and sustainability in economic ties.
Vice Chairman Krishan Balendra echoed the sentiment, underscoring the Chamber’s dedication to fostering a transparent and sustainable business environment. “We are creating a conducive environment for doing business, underpinned by transparency, predictability, and sustainability,” Balendra said.
Representatives from four major Chinese trade chambers—CCCME, the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, and the China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector—expressed keen interest in exploring partnerships across various sectors.
In addition to high-level discussions, the Forum facilitated business-to-business (B2B) meetings, focusing on investment opportunities in areas such as the automotive value chain, tea plantations, renewable energy, clean technology, engineering, construction, and water treatment.
