Fresh talks to boost greater Pakistan, Sri Lanka business ties

Saturday, 4 February 2023 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council President S. Deivanayagam and committee members called on High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen (retr.) Umar Farooq Burki HI.

The High Commissioner was briefed on various activities and initiatives being planned by the business council in order to promote trade and investment opportunities between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In this regard, a delegation visit is being planned in early March 2023 by the business council to explore business opportunities with counterparts in Pakistan.

A detailed discussion was held to strategise a way forward to optimise bilateral trade, within the context of the current economic scenario. The Business Council appreciated the timely and expeditious actions taken by the Government of Pakistan to facilitate imports from Sri Lanka, despite current challenges.

The High Commissioner underscored that such challenges must be viewed as a catalyst for capitalising on valuable opportunities and that Pakistan would continue to prioritise its relations with Sri Lanka in all facets of cooperation.

The High Commissioner further highlighted that Sri Lanka is considered as a very important regional partner with which Pakistan would like to further enhance its trade, business and economic relations. To this end, he apprised that business visa applications from Sri Lanka are being processed on priority within 24-48 hours by the High Commission, subject to fulfilment of requirements. Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Attaché Asmma Kamal briefed the participants regarding the various high potential sector-specific trade exhibitions being organised in Pakistan by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. She invited Sri Lankan importers, exporters, manufacturers, buying houses and businesses from various sectors to participate in the upcoming four mega trade exhibitions being organised in Pakistan, including Engineering and Healthcare Show (23-25 February in Lahore), Tech Spring Pakistan for ICT Sector (16-18 March in Lahore), International Food and Agriculture Exhibition (4-6 May in Karachi) and the Fourth Edition of the International Textile Exhibition known as TeXpo (26-28 May in Karachi).

The High Commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to support the leadership and members of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Business Council in all possible manner and to continue working closely to promote bilateral trade, joint ventures and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.