Pakistan - Sri Lanka FTA produces results

by Ramani Kangaraarachchi

"The Free Trade Agreement signed during the visit of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to Pakistan has provided economic underpinning to a healthy relationship in political, cultural and defence fields between the two countries.

It was after signing the FTA that the two parties decided to hold a single country exhibitions to create greater awareness of each others trade potential and to increase economic interaction between the two business communities. High Commissioner for Pakistan Bashir Wali Mohamad speaking at a press conference to introduce the first ever "Pride of Pakistan" exhibition to be held from April 28-30 at the BMICH said on Monday.

Mohamed said that this will be an event of great significance in Pakistan Sri Lanka relations at a time when bilateral relations between the two countries have received a fresh political impetus through exchange of high level visits by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Sahukat Aziz and President Kumaratunga and a similar exhibition of Sri Lankan products in Pakistan would follow and it would be a regular feature in the future.

The exhibition consists of 28 companies with nearly 40 products and services which include textiles, food, cosmetic, handicrafts stationery, and machinery.

Minister of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle would inaugurate the exhibition at 10 a.m. on April 28.