An interview with two Pakistani leaders:

Sri Lanka preferred investment destination

Chaminda PERERA and Rasika SOMARATHNA

Deputy Chairman of Pakistan Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali in an interview with the Daily News said that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) - Asia Region Conference was a useful platform to address regional issues, including challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. “We must reach out to our partners in CPA and seek common solutions for these challenges,” he said.

He added that every year 250 million people are affected by natural disasters across the globe and all member countries in CPA Asia region are vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.

He also noted that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoyed a close relationship over the years and added that this could be further strengthened through greater bilateral trade ties.

The Balochistan Provincial Assembly Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani joining the discussion noted that Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoyed healthy ties both politically and economically and they had grown from strength to strength over the years.

He said that since the end of terrorism in the country Sri Lanka had made impressive strides forward. Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most preferred destinations for Pakistan investors, he added. He also said that Pakistan could take a leaf out of Sri Lanka’s book when developing the country’s education and health sectors.

The two leaders aired the above views in an interview with the Daily News during their stay in Colombo for the third Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia Regional Conference hosted by Sri Lanka from February 10 - 16, 2011.

Here are excerpts from the interview with Deputy Chairman of Pakistan Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali;

Q: What were the main areas of focus during deliberations at the CPA?

A: The main areas which came under scrutiny were, poverty alleviation, maternal care, climate change and natural disasters. In the case of natural disasters which the CPA thought as very relevant in the present context, it focused on reviving the SAARC Disaster Forum.

Here the discussions focused on the subject of establishing a fund to help each other in times of need.

Q: Tell us more about this SAARC Forum?

A: There is a common understanding among all countries on the issue. Here it is important to work as a team. We must help each other in times of difficulty. This would lead to establishing greater friendship and bond between regional nations. The SAARC Disaster Forum must get activated when there is a natural calamity affecting a member country.

One good example is that when Pakistan faced difficulty due to natural disasters recently.

India expressed its willingness to assist the affected people. However, Pakistan could not use the Indian assistance to the fullest as there were snags at various levels.

The SAARC forum could be an effective mechanism in such instances in alleviating such snags and ensuring better co-ordination to assist the affected nation.

Q: Did the CPA discuss issues pertaining to regional security and terrorism?

A: No, that was not one of our topics. However I must admit that this has been a major issue faced by many Asian countries for a long time. Pakistan too has had its share of problems in this regard. We are not only fighting with terrorists but with the criminals as well. The terrorists connive with the criminals and try to destabilize society.

Sri Lanka emerged successfully from a long drawn out conflict with terrorists. Now everybody could see that they are reaping the benefits. However I think Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India should co-operate closely in combating criminals, who are closely associated with drug peddling, smuggling etc. across borders.

Q: How do you see Sri Lanka’s progress since emerging from the 30-year long scourge of terrorism?

A: The conflict that prevailed in Sri Lanka is now over and the Government has focused on rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, economy while uplifting the living standards of the people.

Sri Lanka is making tremendous progress in every field. However, I believe that Lanka should become a more manufacturing oriented country. It has a strong agro-based economic system. Now the focus should be to strengthen local industries. Pakistan is always round the corner to help Lanka in this regard.

Q: What about bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka?

A: This area needs further improvement. There should be a better, vibrant mechanism to promote bilateral trade.

Q: In what other areas the two countries could support each other for progress?

A: There are many. From Pakistan’s point of view we would like to seek Sri Lanka’s assistance to uplift our education sector.

We are in short of mathematic teachers, science teachers in the English stream and we believe that Sri Lanka can help us overcome these problems. Over 95 percent of the population is literate in Sri Lanka and that is an impressive margin. Definitely Pakistan can use Sri Lanka’s expertise to uplift its education sector.

Excerpts from the interview with Balochistan Provincial Assembly Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani:

Q: From Pakistan's point of view what are the positives to come out of this gathering of regional Parliamentarians?

A: There are many. Mainly we have been able to strengthen relations with our regional neighbours. Many positive decisions have been taken to promote regional co-operation on a number of issues such as poverty alleviation, bringing down infant mortality rates, ways of taking care of the mother and child ensuring a child is born and raised in the best of health etc.

In the case of taking care of the mother and the child Pakistan can look towards Sri Lanka as an example. The midwife as they call it here is a concept which Pakistan can adopt. Pakistan can take a leaf out of Sri Lanka's book. We look for Sri Lankan help to train our workers in this sector.

On the issue of climate change, our region has experienced a number of natural disasters due to it in the recent past. Sri Lanka has had to bare numerous difficulties due to floods in the recent past. Over 1.5 million people have been affected. In Pakistan last year we had heavy floods. So we discussed methods at mitigation and ways of helping each other in their hour of need.

Q: On the sidelines of the conference did the Pakistan team engage in discussions with their Sri Lankan counterparts?

A: Yes, we have had a number of discussions. We met the President, the Speaker, the Prime Minister and others. Ties between the two nations have been further strengthened.

We enjoy excellent ties in all departments. Pakistan has been a very close and genuine friend of Sri Lanka. We are connected by deep-rooted mutual understanding, sharing common views on many regional and international issues. I am pleased to mention that both the nations have always stood by each other, in difficult times.

When no cricket team was visiting Pakistan it was Sri Lanka which came to Pakistan's help. The incident which happened later was very unfortunate.

Q: How do you view the economic co-operation between the two countries?

A: We have to continue our efforts tirelessly, by pursuing a plan of action, to enhance the volume and value of trade, between our two countries. This would, of course, create the business entrepreneurs of both countries to engage them, in a vibrant and vigorous, trade promotional strategy, on a constant and sustainable manner, to promote trade, investment and services between us.

With the elimination of terrorism, in Sri Lanka, the economic environment, is stable, and has encouraged greater investor confidence.

Sri Lanka's strategic location, it's safe and peaceful living conditions, market-friendly economic policies, transparent investment laws, highly literate and easily trainable and smart workforce etc. have made the country, one of the most preferred investment destinations, among the Pakistani and international business community.

Sri Lanka is not an unknown country for investors from Pakistan. There are already some notable investments made by investors from Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

There are vast opportunities. In many areas for investment such as, tourism, infrastructure, textiles, engineering goods, agro-based industries, fish processing, sports goods, leather items, IT and health sector.