On November 6th, the 16th Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum was successfully held in Shanghai as a concurrent event of the 6th China International Import Expo. The forum was hosted by the State Administration for Market Regulation and co-organized by the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Development Research Center of the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum. Nalika Kodikara, Minister Counsellor of Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, attended the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered a speech.
Nalika Kodikara, Minister Counsellor of Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, delivered a speech
At the outset, let me extend my sincere appreciation to the Organising Committee and the State Administration for Market Regulations and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government for inviting the Embassy of Sri Lanka to attend this important forum.
This year is indeed a special year for Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka has given utmost importance of high-level visits to China. The recent visits of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation, Hon. Prime Minister’s visit to South Asia Kunming Expo boost the bilateral relations between the two countries. Participation at CIIE has also given due importance in the joint statement issued by both countries during the visit of H.E. the President. Participation of Sri Lankan enterprises in the Chinese Trade exhibitions will support to increase competitiveness in establishing ties with relevant Chinese associations of importers and exporters.
Over the years, China has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign direct investment. Sri Lanka is an economic partner of Belt and Road Initiative and China has been Sri Lanka’s key investment partner since 2012 has invested in major infrastructure projects.
Sri Lanka has identified priority sectors for foreign direct investments in the sectors of High-tech Manufacturing, ICT, Hospitality and Tourism, Agri-processing, and Infrastructure. A dedicated fabric park and pharmaceutical park have been established in Eravur (eastern province) and Hambantota
The total bilateral trade between the two countries is exceeding US $ 4.0Bn and the trade balance has always been in favour of China. Sri Lanka exports mainly Ceylon Tea, Apparel, Natural Rubber based products, Gem and Jewelry, Mineral, Activated Carbon, Coconut fiber-based and kernel-based products, confectionery products, and Fisheries products to China.
Both countries entered into new products market access to Chinese market for Ceylon Cinnamon and Fisheries products which is a great achievement for Sri Lanka to expand the export basket. However, there is still untapped potential to be explored.
I will briefly present Sri Lanka’s position on "Implementing the new development concept and promoting the high-quality development of the food and agriculture products industry”
Food safety plays a crucial role in a nation's overall economic progress. Unsafe food not only impact on public health but hinders economic growth accounting for productivity losses
High-quality development of Food and Agriculture begins from the farming systems. Sri Lanka adopts mainly Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) for the cultivations of most agricultural commodities. The private sector follows the agricultural practices introduced by the sector-specific government institutions. Companies manufacturing, processing, and exporting food products are comply with international standards such as ISO, GMP and HACCP.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka has given priority for development of market oriented sustainable agriculture sector with the support of the funding agencies to improve the competitiveness of various sectors exploring export market opportunities.
Sri Lanka is not a producer of bulk export quantities and is a niche producer with high pungency. Ceylon tea and fisheries products have a position in the global market and among the Chinese consumers as well. Ceylon spices which has high fragrance seasoning compounds comparatively regional suppliers and yet to capture the Chinese market. There are ready inquiries for Sri Lankan fruits in the Chinese market but still working for market access requirements. There is a high enthusiasm in introducing new products and expand agricultural and food-related exports into Chinese market as Sri Lanka exports to Western countries.
However, there are many challenges in meeting certain compliances as productions are coming under mixed gardens due to limited land availability. Contract-farmer systems are commonly used to convert conventional farming systems for organic farming systems with the support of buy-back arrangements. Value additions of agri-produce are given priority in attracting consumer markets through branding and private labeling.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that this forum will provide a platform for strengthening technological innovations, enhancing brand competitiveness, and implementing new development concepts for high quality development in order to deepening practical cooperation among BRI countries. I invite all of you to visit Sri Lankan pavilion in the Hall No.5.2 which presents Sri Lankan unique products Such as Ceylon Tea, confectionary, Spices, Gems and Jewellery etc. Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, exporters represented in the Hall 1.1 Booth C2-03 promoting brand identity of Sri Lankan products.
Thank you all for your attention!
The theme of the forum is, ‘Deepening the Belt and Road Cooperation in Agriculture and Food: Jointly Creating a Better Life for Humanity.’ Leaders from the State Administration for Market Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Health Commission, General Administration of Customs, as well as leaders from Shanghai, Henan, Hainan, and other provincial governments, representatives of provincial market supervision departments, representatives of relevant United Nations organizations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and embassies of South Africa, the Netherlands, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Senegal, among others, along with over 400 delegates from domestic and international enterprises, participated in the forum. Guests collectively deliberated on agricultural cooperation and food industry development, contributing insights and strategies for the high-quality development of agriculture and food industries in the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting the role of the forum as a platform for policy interpretation.
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum. Over the past decade, the forum has been successfully held for 15 sessions within the framework of the National Food Safety Publicity Week and the China International Import Expo. The forum has solidly promoted high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, extensively conducted exchanges and cooperation in the agricultural and food industries, played a significant role in the development and safety of agricultural food industries in the countries along the route, and facilitated smooth international trade among the Belt and Road countries.
