President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday offered assistance in infrastructure construction to Sri Lanka and called for barter trade to solidify existing relations between the two countries.
Addressing the members of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association – a 30-member multiparty caucus from both the countries that was established in 2007 – here at the Parliament House, the president said the two countries need to opt for a win-win situation.
He said by going for barter trade, the two countries do not have to pay each other in dollars, lessening the pressure on their foreign exchange reserves. “If you have anything in abundance we can trade. We have an abundance of cement and you have tea and other commodities that we can exchange.”
“Unlike investors who come and take back their money, Pakistan is offering a win-win relationship that should be acceptable to both the sides,” he added.
The president said that he has directed the defence minister to ensure that Pakistan International Airlines operates its flight to Sri Lanka to enable Pakistani businessmen to invest with ease.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2010.
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