Sri Lanka-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission meets in Colombo

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe (left) with Pakistani Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan

The 13th session of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was successfully held yesterday in Colombo, reaffirming the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Pakistani Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. 

At the conclusion of the JEC, the agreed minutes were signed by both Co-Chairs, formalising cooperation across multiple sectors.

In the IT and digital economy, both sides agreed in principle to establish a Joint Working Group on IT and telecommunications, cooperate in emerging technologies, and support each other in international digital and telecommunications fora.

In the area of industrial cooperation, the two sides discussed expanding trade in chemicals, polymers, engineering goods, glassware, surgical instruments, and pharmaceuticals. 

Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities in designated pharmaceutical manufacturing zones. Both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in Export Processing Zones and strengthen cooperation in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector through their respective development agencies.

The Commission made substantial progress in agriculture and livestock cooperation, agreeing to collaborate on meat exports, livestock farming, seed certification, sanitary and phytosanitary harmonisation, pest risk analysis, and capacity building. 

Notable progress was made towards finalising procedures for the export of Sri Lankan pineapples and avocados to Pakistan. Both sides also discussed electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto), blockchain-based seed traceability systems, and expanded trade in agro-commodities such as rice, sesame, and onions.

In the field of education, both sides agreed to promote academic and research cooperation between higher education institutions, facilitate faculty and student exchanges, share best practices in accreditation and quality assurance, and encourage Pakistan as a higher education destination for Sri Lankan students. The establishment of a Joint Working Group on Education and Science was proposed, alongside the finalisation and renewal of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between key institutions.

Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation was reinforced through the effective implementation of the existing bilateral MoU. Both countries agreed to pursue joint research initiatives in advanced materials, biotechnology, climate change mitigation, and emerging technologies, including collaborative research projects, student exchanges, and co-authored publications.

In the health sector, both sides agreed to enhance collaboration through joint research, academic exchanges, regulatory cooperation on therapeutic goods, and capacity building. A proposal was made to establish technical working mechanisms for regulatory harmonisation, fast-track registration of essential medicines, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, epidemiological surveillance, and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks.

In the areas of maritime cooperation, Pakistan offered technical expertise, training, and industrial collaboration through its shipbuilding institutions. Both sides explored opportunities for enhanced maritime connectivity, including transshipment cooperation, port collaboration at Karachi and Gwadar, direct shipping routes, logistics integration, and maritime training programs.

During the JEC, commerce secretary-level talks also reviewed the progress of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA). The discussions were led by Pakistan Commerce Ministry Secretary Jawad Paul and Sri Lanka Trade and Commerce Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah. 

Both sides, along with their respective delegations, assessed the current implementation of the PSFTA and identified practical measures to further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the JEC, Khan held several bilateral discussions with key members of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, including Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, Labour Minister and Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, underlining cooperation across the industry, labour and employment, and health sectors.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 13th session and reaffirmed their commitment to regular engagement and effective implementation of agreed initiatives. 

It was mutually agreed that the 14th session of the JEC would be held in Islamabad on dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.