China explores extending economic corridor to Sri Lanka

21 Nov 2023 CW Team

During a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, China's Special Envoy conveyed that the extension of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) to Sri Lanka is being "prioritised," indicating China's intention to enhance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project in South Asia.

In a press statement released by Wickremesinghe's office, State Councillor Shen Yiqin, the Special Envoy of the Chinese President, mentioned that China is giving priority to extending the Corridor to the island nation. The statement also highlighted that both parties agreed to hasten the implementation of the China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.

The CMEC, which is the newest among the six land corridors under the BRI, has gained significance, replacing the stalled Bangladesh China India Myanmar (BCIM) corridor. Notably, India and Bhutan are the only South Asian countries abstaining from participation in the BRI and China's more recent Global Development Initiative, which Sri Lanka has endorsed. President Wickremesinghe pointed out that countries like Sri Lanka, actively involved in the BRI, are ready to embark on the second phase of the initiative, anticipating a more substantial economic contribution.

Shen's visit to Sri Lanka follows her participation in President Mohamed Muizzu's inaugural ceremony in the neighboring Maldives on November 17. This visit comes a month after President Wickremesinghe met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. In a joint statement issued by the two governments at that time, Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to "actively participate" in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Apr 2026

Güntner Showcases Cooling Tech at China Expo

Güntner showcased its latest refrigeration and air conditioning innovations at China Refrigeration 2026, highlighting digital intelligence and carbon-neutral solutions.The company presented its aicore™ Controls and IoT platform, designed to optimise energy consumption, enable remote monitoring and enhance lifecycle management of cooling systems. The solution integrates advanced controllers and cloud-based capabilities to improve operational efficiency and reduce energy use.Güntner also demonstrated advancements in heat pump technologies, including its role in projects such as the Ordos Zer..

Superb Realty Ties Up with Praan for AI Air Tech

Superb Realty has partnered with Praan to deploy AI-powered autonomous air infrastructure across over one million sq ft of real estate in Mumbai, marking a significant move towards intelligent indoor environments.The rollout will begin at Superb Altura and expand across upcoming residential and mixed-use developments. The initiative aims to integrate real-time sensing, adaptive purification and AI-led optimisation to improve indoor air quality and occupant experience.Praan’s technology is designed to remove ultrafine particles significantly smaller than conventional systems and eliminate har..

DAAKit Raises $138,000 in Pre-Seed Round

DAAKit has raised $138,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures to expand its hyperlocal fulfilment network and strengthen technology capabilities.The company plans to use the funds to launch 25 new dark stores across Tier I and Tier II cities, enhance its technology infrastructure, and expand its leadership and operations teams. Currently operational in Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, DAAKit is also piloting expansion into Tier II markets through Lucknow.Built on an asset-light, technology-driven model, the platform enables brands to position inventory ..