Sri Lanka exports to get easier China customs clearance

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) - China plans to make it easier for Sri Lankan exports to the country to clear customs and be distributed to local markets, according to the island's Ministry of Industry and Commerce. "China is planning to provide favourable policies for custom clearance and inland transportation for exports coming from Sri Lanka," it said in a statement, without giving details.

The assurance was given by Huang Shah, Vice Chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, at a meeting with Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

China will also allocate a special area for Sri Lanka in the forthcoming Kunming international trade fair and will give 100 free booths for Sri Lanka, Huang said.

The fourth South Asian Countries’ business forum and trade fair will be held from June 05 to 10 at Kunming, a known transportation hub in south-western China, located within the Yunnan Province.

Bathiudeen said China is now the second largest supplier of goods to Sri Lanka.

Today China has become an important market for Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan exporters able to enter the Chinese market under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement."

The South Asian C