{"id":35789,"date":"2012-03-26T08:38:51","date_gmt":"2012-03-26T08:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=35789"},"modified":"2012-06-01T23:19:56","modified_gmt":"2012-06-01T23:19:56","slug":"wikileaks-sri-lankas-new-friends-cannot-compete-with-her-old-ones-butenis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wikileaks-sri-lankas-new-friends-cannot-compete-with-her-old-ones-butenis\/","title":{"rendered":"WikiLeaks: Sri Lanka\u2019s New Friends Cannot Compete With Her Old Ones"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Colombo Telegraph<\/a> –<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa trumpets the importance of Sri Lanka,s friendship with China, the relationship is verylopsided in terms of trade. For example, in 2008 Chinese exports to Sri Lanka constituted 96% of total bilateral trade. In terms of investment, Hong Kong has become a key source of foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka, while China proper focuses on direct government aid. In contrast, Sri Lanka investment in China consists of a few tea shops. Though at times the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) asserts it does not need the U.S. and the West since it can turn to new friends such as China, there is no indication that China can replace Western export markets. In terms of investment and trade importance, Sri Lanka\u2019s new friends cannot compete with her old ones in the United States and EU.\u201d the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Patricia Butenis<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0Colombo Telegraph<\/a>\u00a0found the related leaked cable from the\u00a0WikiLeaks<\/a>\u00a0database. The cable is classified as \u201cCONFIDENTIAL\u201d and written by the Patricia Butenis on October 6, 2009.<\/p>\n

Under the subheading \u201cSRI LANKAN-CHINESE TRADE TILTS HEAVILY TOWARD CHINA\u201d the ambassador wrote \u201cChina remains one of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing trading partners. Trade between the two countries almost doubled from 2005 to 2008, rising from US $660 million to US $1.138 billion. While Sri Lankan exports increased from US $29.4 million in 2005 to US $46.8 million in 2008, imports from China have grown even more. In 2008, Sri Lanka imported US 1.091 billion from China resulting in a net trade deficit of US 1.044 billion. China is one of Sri Lanka’s largest sources of imports, second only to India, which totaled more than US 3.4 billion in 2008. Sri Lanka’s primary exports to China include raw commodities, apparel items, and tea. Sri Lanka primarily imports various types of machinery and equipment, raw materials, and chemicals from China. Sri Lankan imports from China accounted for a significant portion of total Sri Lankan imports while Sri Lankan exports to China comprised a very small portion of total exports in 2008.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile Hong Kong has become a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Sri Lanka, the lion,s share of support from China comes primarily in the form of direct aid. Overall, China and Hong Kong invested US $102.5 million in Sri Lanka in 2008, although Hong Kong contributed US $86 million of that total. In 2008, China and Hong Kong combined to form Sri Lanka’s fourth largest source of FDI behind Malaysia, India, and The Netherlands, respectively. As of September 2009, 16 mainland Chinese businesses have invested in garment, leather, telecommunications, and electronics facilities in Sri Lanka. Chinese entrepreneurs have also been provided with an exclusive Economic Processing Zone (EPZ) in Mirigama. If the Mirigama EPZ proves successful, additional EPZ’s may be established in Godagama, Matara, and in the Eastern Province. As an incentive to invest in Sri Lanka, Chinese business persons who invest a minimum of US $25 million are eligible for a Sri Lankan passport as a “\u2019second home.\u2019\u201d she further wrote.<\/p>\n

Under the subheading \u201cFUTURE PROSPECTS FOR CHINESE INVESTMENT\u201d Butenis wrote \u201cThe Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing, in close coordination with the Sri Lankan Board of Investment (BOI), held two seminars for Chinese entrepreneurs in March 2009. The events attracted more than 90 mainland Chinese businessmen from sectors that included infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, paper manufacturing, steel, and telecommunications. Two Chinese car manufacturers are currently negotiating with the Sri Lankan BOI to build manufacturing\/assembly plants in Sri Lanka. Vehicles would be assembled for export to Latin American and African countries. Sri Lanka’s Micro-Car Company and China’s DMC Car Company have begun negotiations to launch a joint project. In the Gulf of Mannar, the China National Petroleum Corporation has begun oil exploration after recently receiving an exploration block from the GSL. In July 2009, the Chinese Development Bank (CDB) and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) signed an investment facilitation agreement which facilitates CDB US dollar deposits with the CBSL. The two banks also plan to establish closer ties over the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n

Placing a comment the ambassador wrote \u201cAt times, the Government of Sri Lanka strikes a defiant nationalist tone, claiming that it does not need the U.S. and the West since it can turn to new friends such as China. The trade figures do not bear this out, as investment and trade is a one way street, and the West remains an irreplaceable export market. Sri Lanka exports 37% of its goods to the EU, followed by the U.S. with a 23% share. Meanwhile, the U.S. runs an enormous trade deficit with Sri Lanka. In 2008 Sri Lanka exported $1.96 billion of goods to the U.S., and only received $283 million in American imports. Although China may well offer an excellent long term market, in terms of trade opportunities Sri Lanka,s new friends cannot compete with her old ones in the United States and EU.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the cable below for further\u00a0details;<\/p>\n

VZCZCXRO2553\r\nRR RUEHBI RUEHGH RUEHLH\r\nDE RUEHLM #0933\/01 2790329\r\nZNY CCCCC ZZH\r\nR 060329Z OCT 09\r\nFM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO\r\nTO RUEHC\/SECSTATE WASHDC 0597\r\nINFO RUEHBJ\/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1248\r\nRUEHKA\/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1929\r\nRUEHIL\/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 8965\r\nRUEHKT\/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 7203\r\nRUEHNE\/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3343\r\nRUEHCG\/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 9525\r\nRUEHKP\/AMCONSUL KARACHI 2532\r\nRUEHLH\/AMCONSUL LAHORE 0078\r\nRUEHBI\/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 6826\r\nRUEHGH\/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0002<\/pre>\n
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000933 \r\n\r\nSIPDIS \r\n\r\nDEPARTMENT FOR SCA\/INSB \r\n\r\nE.O. 12958: DECL: 10\/02\/2019\r\nTAGS: CE<\/a> CH<\/a> ECON<\/a> ETRD<\/a> PGOV<\/a> EINV<\/a>\r\nSUBJECT: SRI LANKAN-CHINESE TRADE TILTS HEAVILY TOWARD CHINA \r\n\r\nREF: COLOMBO 745 \r\n\r\nClassified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA BUTENIS.  REASONS 1.4 (B, D) \r\n\r\n(C) SUMMARY:  Although Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa\r\ntrumpets the importance of Sri Lanka,s friendship with\r\nChina, the relationship is verylopsided in terms of trade.\r\nFor example, in 2008 Chinese exports to Sri Lanka constituted\r\n96% of total bilateral trade.  In terms of investment, Hong\r\nKong has become a key source of foreign direct investment to\r\nSri Lanka, while China proper focuses on direct government\r\naid.  In contrast, Sri Lanka investment in China consists of\r\na few tea shops.  Though at times the Government of Sri Lanka\r\n(GSL) asserts it does not need the U.S. and the West since it\r\ncan turn to new friends such as China, there is no indication\r\nthat China can replace Western export markets.  In terms of\r\ninvestment and trade importance, Sri Lanka,s new friends\r\ncannot compete with her old ones in the United States and EU.\r\n End Summary. \r\n\r\nSRI LANKAN-CHINESE TRADE TILTS HEAVILY TOWARD CHINA \r\n\r\n\u00b6<\/a>2. (SBU) China remains one of Sri Lanka's fastest growing\r\ntrading partners.  Trade between the two countries almost\r\ndoubled from 2005 to 2008, rising from US $660 million to US\r\n$1.138 billion.  While Sri Lankan exports increased from US\r\n$29.4 million in 2005 to US $46.8 million in 2008, imports\r\nfrom China have grown even more.  In 2008, Sri Lanka imported\r\nUS 1.091 billion from China resulting in a net trade deficit\r\nof US 1.044 billion.  China is one of Sri Lanka's largest\r\nsources of imports, second only to India, which totaled more\r\nthan US 3.4 billion in 2008.  Sri Lanka's primary exports to\r\nChina include raw commodities, apparel items, and tea.  Sri\r\nLanka primarily imports various types of machinery and\r\nequipment, raw materials, and chemicals from China.  Sri\r\nLankan imports from China accounted for a significant portion\r\nof total Sri Lankan imports while Sri Lankan exports to China\r\ncomprised a very small portion of total exports in 2008. \r\n\r\nCHINESE INVESTMENT IN SRI LANKA \r\n\r\n\u00b6<\/a>3. (SBU) While Hong Kong has become a significant source of\r\nForeign Direct Investment (FDI) for Sri Lanka, the lion,s\r\nshare of support from China comes primarily in the form of\r\ndirect aid.  Overall, China and Hong Kong invested  US $102.5\r\nmillion in Sri Lanka in 2008, although Hong Kong contributed\r\nUS $86 million of that total.  In 2008, China and Hong Kong\r\ncombined to form Sri Lanka's fourth largest source of FDI\r\nbehind Malaysia, India, and The Netherlands, respectively.\r\nAs of September 2009, 16 mainland Chinese businesses have\r\ninvested in garment, leather, telecommunications, and\r\nelectronics facilities in Sri Lanka.  Chinese entrepreneurs\r\nhave also been provided with an exclusive Economic Processing\r\nZone (EPZ) in Mirigama.  If the Mirigama EPZ proves\r\nsuccessful, additional EPZ's may be established in Godagama,\r\nMatara, and in the Eastern Province.  As an incentive to\r\ninvest in Sri Lanka, Chinese business persons who invest a\r\nminimum of US $25 million are eligible for a Sri Lankan\r\npassport as a \"second home.\" \r\n\r\nSRI LANKAN INVESTMENT IN CHINA \r\n\r\n\u00b6<\/a>4. (SBU) In contrast, Sri Lankan FDI in China and Hong Kong\r\nis a pittance.  The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) recently\r\nestablished a consulate in Shanghai, China and is planning to\r\nopen another in Chengdu in October 2009.  The consulate in\r\nShanghai facilitated the signing of a \"Three Sister Cities\"\r\nagreement between Sri Lanka and eastern China in an effort to\r\nincrease trade, investment, tourism, economic and\r\ninfrastructure development, and establish greater market\r\naccess.  Additionally, Sri Lankan tea manufacturer\/retailer\r\nHeladiv opened three exclusive tea boutiques in Fujian\r\nprovince and Beijing in August 2009.  Heladiv plans to open\r\n20 tea boutiques by the end of 2009 and a total of more than\r\n100 tea boutiques in China and Hong Kong by 2011. \r\n\r\nFUTURE PROSPECTS FOR CHINESE INVESTMENT \r\n\r\n\u00b6<\/a>5. (SBU) The Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing, in close\r\ncoordination with the Sri Lankan Board of Investment (BOI),\r\nheld two seminars for Chinese entrepreneurs in March 2009. \r\n\r\nCOLOMBO 00000933  002 OF 002 \r\n\r\nThe events attracted more than 90 mainland Chinese\r\nbusinessmen from sectors that included infrastructure, real\r\nestate, agriculture, paper manufacturing, steel, and\r\ntelecommunications.  Two Chinese car manufacturers are\r\ncurrently negotiating with the Sri Lankan BOI to build\r\nmanufacturing\/assembly plants in Sri Lanka.  Vehicles would\r\nbe assembled for export to Latin American and African\r\ncountries.  Sri Lanka's Micro-Car Company and China's DMC Car\r\nCompany have begun negotiations to launch a joint project.\r\nIn the Gulf of Mannar, the China National Petroleum\r\nCorporation has begun oil exploration after recently\r\nreceiving an exploration block from the GSL.  In July 2009,\r\nthe Chinese Development Bank (CDB) and the Central Bank of\r\nSri Lanka (CBSL) signed an investment facilitation agreement\r\nwhich facilitates CDB US dollar deposits with the CBSL.  The\r\ntwo banks also plan to establish closer ties over the long\r\nterm. \r\n\r\n\u00b6<\/a>6. (C) Comment:  At times, the Government of Sri Lanka\r\nstrikes a defiant nationalist tone, claiming that it does not\r\nneed the U.S. and the West since it can turn to new friends\r\nsuch as China.  The trade figures do not bear this out, as\r\ninvestment and trade is a one way street, and the West\r\nremains an irreplaceable export market.  Sri Lanka exports\r\n37% of its goods to the EU, followed by the U.S. with a 23%\r\nshare.  Meanwhile, the U.S. runs an enormous trade deficit\r\nwith Sri Lanka.  In 2008 Sri Lanka exported $1.96 billion of\r\ngoods to the U.S., and only received $283 million in American\r\nimports.  Although China may well offer an excellent long\r\nterm market, in terms of trade opportunities Sri Lanka,s new\r\nfriends cannot compete with her old ones in the United States\r\nand EU.  End Comment.\r\nBUTENIS<\/pre>\n
 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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