KARACHI: Jagath Abeywarna Consul General of Sri Lanka has said that bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan were very friendly and it was expected to be strengthened in coming days.

Both countries were also enjoying excellent trade and diplomatic relations, but joint efforts are needed to promote bilateral trade. Exchanging views at a meeting on his visit to Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association Consul General said major items of exports tea and coconut were exported by Sri Lanka to different countries and $ 11 million exported to Pakistan in 2021. Whereas Income from tourism sector was $ 3 million. Jagath stressed on members of executive committee to enhance level of exports in textile related products. “We will highly encourage Pakistani exporters to make business delegations in order to expand exports to Sri Lanka. In this respect collaboration between businessmen of both countries is need of day.” Earlier, Sohail Nisar sr.

Vice Chairman PYMA said that Pakistan is Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. He stressed need to promote air and sea connectivity between two countries to strengthen cooperation in trade and industry.  Pakistani products especially pharmaceuticals, rice, fruits, vegetables, cement and garments have a wide scope in Sri Lankan market. Similarly, Sri Lankan tea, wall tiles, floor tiles etc. have wide scope in Pakistan. “Total trade volume between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is $ 400 million, out of which Pakistan exports worth $ 300 million to Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka exports worth $ 100 million while total exports of textile product from Sri Lanka is 45 percent”, he added. Jawed Khanani, Vice Chairman PYMA, Muhammad Usman, Saqib Goodluck, Farhan Ashrafi, Khurram Bharara, Hanif Lakhany, Anis Mandavia, Altaf Haroon, Munir Ismail, Umar Sheikh and Shaukat Ahmed attended meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 04 2022

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