Sri Lanka has a very friendly image in the eyes of Pakistani people: Pak Envoy

Saturday, 1 July 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the High Commission of Pakistan, organised a well-attended seminar on ‘Business Opportunities with Pakistan’ recently.

The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra was the Chief Guest at the occasion. The seminar was attended by the Commercial Secretary of the High Commission Adnan Younis, Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council President Rohitha Tillekaratne, Sri Lanka-Pakistan Friendship, Trade and Investment Association President Ifthikhar Aziz and other dignitaries.

EDB Chairperson Indra Malwatte, in her opening remarks, informed the participants about EDB’s efforts to increase exports by raising awareness about export opportunities for Sri Lankan businessmen in Pakistan. She also recalled her experience of visiting Pakistan recently, which gave her an idea about the great potential that Pakistan holds for Sri Lankan firms. She appreciated the support of the High Commission of Pakistan for EDB’s efforts to improve business relations between the two countries.

Chief Guest Dr. Sipra thanked the EDB Chairperson for arranging this high-profile seminar that shows the keenness of EDB to promote trade with Pakistan. He was of the view that Sri Lankan products and services would find receptive customers in Pakistan as Sri Lanka has a very friendly image in the eyes of the Pakistani people.

Dr. Sipra also informed the gathering that Sri Lanka will be the ‘Focus Country for 2017. Sri Lanka is the only country that has been granted this status. To make use of this status, EDB will place a large Sri Lankan pavilion for Sri Lankan firms during Expo Pakistan 2017 to be held in November this year at Expo Centre, Karachi. The event will provide excellent opportunities for visiting businesses to showcase their premium Sri Lankan products and interact with Pakistani and international buyers. The expo was visited by more than 30,000 buyers last year.

The Acting High Commissioner assured the Pakistani Government’s full support to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two friendly nations.

Commercial Secretary Younis made a comprehensive presentation on the prospects of business with Pakistan highlighting the fact that economic growth in Pakistan has picked up momentum which augurs well for trade and investment. He emphasised that Pakistan’s population of over 200 million with rising prosperity is definitely a sure market for Sri Lankan products for decades to come and stressed that this is the best time for Sri Lanka to enter the Pakistani market.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Council President Tillekaratne spoke about his successful business experience in the Pakistani market.

The Pakistan Sri Lanka Friendship Trade and Investment Association President Aziz stressed using innovative thinking to translate friendly relations into a symbiotic economic relationship.