Trade relations: Sri Lanka, Pakistan to boost trade

“We are proud of Pakistan and want bilateral trade to reflect our warm relations.” says Sri Lankan High Commissioner.

ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Air Chief Marshal (retd) Jayalath Weerakkody on Friday said, “We are proud of Pakistan and want bilateral trade to reflect our warm relations.” Pakistan is our second largest trading partner in South Asia, Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a free trade agreement with Pakistan, he said while talking to a delegation led by Samina Fazil, president of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI). Weerakkody said we are close to finalising a $200 million export credit line that Pakistan will extend to Sri Lanka. Current volume of trade is $400 million which will be boosted to $1 billion in two years. “Sri Lanka is keen to invest in Pakistan and our share in local tea market is gradually increasing from 2% previously,” he said. The high commissioner said Pakistani products were popular in the Sri Lankan markets and they had established their names due to their high quality.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2012.