‘Sri Lanka eager to enhance trade relations with Pakistan’

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Jayalath Weerakkody said that his country is eager to enhance trade relations with Pakistan. He said that both countries are enjoying deep political relations and it is the need of the hour to promote bilateral trade relations between the two countries. He said this while exchanging views with a delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) led by its President Jawed Akhtar Bhatti at his office on Wednesday.

Former president Kashif Shabbir and Khursheed Barlas were also included in the delegation.

Jayalath said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the two major countries of South Asia and the mutual cooperation between them would benefit the region.

“Sri Lanka is keen to invest in Pakistan and the Pakistani business community must get involved in Sri Lankan markets to further enhance relations”, he said.

He stressed the continuous interaction between the business communities of the two countries, and lauded the success of RCCI single country Expos and ensured his full cooperation in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion President RCCI Jawed Akhtar Bhatti said that both countries have signed Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and the trade volume of the two countries is $344 million which is very low.

He said trade volume must be increased. “ business activities were badly affected in the country owing to war against terror and the global economic crunch.”

He said despite the prevailing situation Pakistan's exports have reached $25 billion which is a very positive gesture. “Pakistan is a good place for investment and foreign investors are welcome to invest in the country” he added.

Pakistan Observer