'Made in Pakistan' begins today

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Pakistan's Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be holding 'Made in Pakistan' single country exhibition in Colombo in partnership with the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka beginning today at BMICH.

The six day exhibition will showcase more than 50 Pakistan trading and manufacturing companies with over 75 participants displaying jewellery, sports, equipment, fashion and fabrics, leather goods, handicrafts, furniture and house wares.

The single country exhibition aims to provide a platform to the Pakistan based companies to create a market place and there by strengthen the trade ties between the two countries, High Commissioner of Pakistan Seema Ilahi Baloch said at a press conference yesterday.

"Pakistan and Sri Lanka have traditionally enjoyed excellent relations.

We also need to strive to add more substance to our economic cooperation and benefit from each other's strength, she said. "Pakistan and Sri Lanka trade shows a continuous upward trend. The bilateral trade which stood at US $ 255 million in 2008 rose to $ 390 million in 2011. There is strong desire and commitment on both sides to further develop the trade and commercial ties between the two countries and cross the $ 2 billion mark in the coming years," the High Commissioner said.