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by Manjula Fernando

US Trade envoy John /Hundsman Jr will arrive in Sri Lanka Wednesday to discuss key issues regarding the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United States, the Economic Reforms Ministry said yesterday.

"With the signing of this historic agreement the two countries intend to make Sri Lanka the Trade Hub in South Asia," Ministry sources added.

The visit is a follow up to the signing of the Trade and Investment Frame Work Agreement (TIFA) between the two counties in Washington in July this year.

The TIFA agreement which set the groundwork for preparing the FTA took place during the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's historic visit to the US. Minister Milinda Moragoda signed this agreement on behalf of the Lankan government while Trade Representative Minister Robert Zoellick signed on behalf of the US government. The trade envoy will meet Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake and discuss trade and investment opportunities under the FTA during this visit.

The Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka is similar to the agreements that the US will sign with Singapore and Chile.

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