Ceylon Tea Center in Karachi soon - Jeyaraj

The first Ceylon Tea Center will be opened in Karachi in a couple of months giving the Karachi consumers an opportunity to taste pure Ceylon Tea. They will learn how Lankan tea exporters have expanded their product range, added value to the product, and packaged it in different flavours and containers, said Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Marketing Development, and Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. He was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by the Pakistan-Sri Lankan Business Forum in Karachi.

Fernandopulle said he is happy that the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries is gradually taking off and bilateral trade has exceeded US$ 200 million. He stressed the need for more imports of Sri Lankan tea, spices, coconut, and betel leaves since these are premium quality products.

The Minister said there must be more exchanges of delegation and participation in exhibitions and fairs in both countries. Pakistan has a formidable fabric industry while the apparel industry in Sri Lankan is renowned for its quality, productivity, and workmanship.

He said Sri Lanka has the advantage of GSP Plus from European Union which could also be beneficial to Pakistan, since Lanka offers access to many markets due to its strategic location, high literacy and skilled workforce, and regional trade arrangements.

The Minister, paid tribute to the Business Forum for its activities and congratulated for being the only bilateral forum in Pakistan, graced by the presence of a Head of State.

Business Forum President Abdul Rauf Tabani, introduced the Minister and paid tributes on his achievements in the political, legal, and social fields. He said a delegation of the forum led by him will be visiting Colombo in March to participate in IMEXPRO 2006 and discuss with Ceylon Chamber and trade officials.