‘Pakistani products popular in Sri Lanka’

Colombo to increase investment, says diplomat.

RAWALPINDI:

Sri Lanka is keen to expand trade ties with Pakistan as Pakistani products are very popular in Sri Lankan markets and they have established their names due to their high quality, said Sri Lankan High Commissioner Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Jayalath Weerakkody on Monday.

Talking to a delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), which met him at his office in Islamabad, the high commissioner said Sri Lanka has strong political relations with Pakistan and now trade ties between the two countries would be promoted.

Weerakkody said that Sri Lanka has been a victim of terrorism and sectarianism due to which economic growth of the country has remained low, adding, Sri Lanka was fully aware of the current situation of Pakistan. He informed the delegation that his country would step up investment in Pakistan.

Underlining the need for strengthening trade ties, he said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have inked several bilateral agreements including for free trade and now both the countries should take benefit of the free trade deal.

RCCI President Ali Raza Shah said that though Pakistan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed very close and strong friendly ties, the trade volume between the two sides was $300 million, which was too small.

He sought the high commissioner’s help in arranging exhibitions for Pakistani products so that more products could be introduced in Sri Lankan markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2011.