The 4th China-South Asia Expo has been jointly inaugurated this morning by the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yang and the Special Envoy of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Hon. Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, the Speaker of the People’s Majilis. Maldives is the country of honour of this year’s expo which is based on the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping.
The China-South Asia Expo along with its conjoint event Kunming Trade Fair, are two investment extravaganzas that bring together a multitude of businessmen large and small from China’s southern neighbours. A total of 49 countries participated in the Expo this year. Maldives has a large contingent attending the Expo consisting of major state-owned enterprises and a number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
In his statement at the Opening Ceremony, the Special Envoy commended the valuable role the China-South Asia Expo and Kunming Trade Fair have had on strengthening the mutually beneficial ties between China and its southern neighbours. He expressed gratitude for the continued assistance China has extended to Maldives over the years in development assistance, noting the China Maldives Friendship Bridge and the Development of the 2nd Runway at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport among numerous other major projects.
The Special Envoy further expressed his sincere hopes that the Expo and Trade Fair will not only contribute to boost the collective efforts to build Asia’s future but also in enhancing the prosperity and resilience of the Maldivian economy.
This year’s expo will be taking place for a week and conclude on 17th June, Friday.
