Skyworth is a major manufacturer of electric cars with a significant market share in China. Their latest very attractive model could travel 600 km on one charge. Currently it is marketed in many countries. Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr. Palitha Kohona during a visit to the Skyworth Headquarters in Shenzhen recently, discussed the potential for this car to be assembled in Sri Lanka, not only to cater to the domestic market but also to the regional export market, including the SAARC region, Africa and the Middle East. Sri Lanka is a too small market for large scale assembly/ production to be undertaken. Skyworth provides technical training and after sales facilities. The need for charging stations around the country was also discussed. Use of solar for power generation at charging stations, including storage banks, and the potential savings on imported fossil fuel were highlighted.

Skyworth produces electric cars for other brands also, including South Korean brands, and is a leader in white goods manufacture. It is already associated with well-known companies in Sri Lanka for its white goods.

Ambassador Kohona also participated in a briefing at the Huawei Head Quarters Campus. Huawei has over 30,000 working at the campus. The company while conscious of the impact of the US sanctions on its operations, is confident of its ability to overcome these constraints in the next five or six years. Considerable resources were being deployed to develop the necessary technology, including with significant government assistance. China has given top priority, at state level, to digital development. 

Huawei has also developed an electric car which has a range of 1200 km on a single charge. Huawei's new generation cellular phones, watches and lap tops introduce users to a new and dizzingly exciting world.

Vice President Simon Liu, who had visited Sri Lanka numerous times, had a high regard for the quality and skill levels of Sri Lankan programmers and forecast a bright future for Sri Lanka in the IT sector. Huawei had trained over 1000 Sri Lankan IT personnel. The Ambassador discussed the possibility of creating more internship/training placements for Lankan IT personnel at Huawei.

Huawei has considerable confidence in Sri Lanka's IT future. The Embassy would suggest a visit to Huawei by a technical team from Sri Lanka, including policy makers, which could explore training possibilities, including establishing a campus, and importantly, to discuss investment possibilities. The Embassy could facilitate the visit.

Dr. Kohona also visited the Zonergy HQ. Zonergy produces complete RE solutions to energy needs, both at individual home level and at community level. Its main markets are in Europe and its high-tech solutions are much in demand and produces excellent inverters and storage batteries. Zonergy could also be a solution provider for Sri Lanka's energy needs.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Beijing

25 March 2023