Pak, Sri Lanka trade bodies can enhance ties - Bathiudeen

Sri Lanka aims to boost economic, trade and commercial ties with Pakistan. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister for Industries and Commerce of Sri Lanka Wednesday said Sri Lanka is Pakistan’s biggest trading partner in SAARC outside India and we share common perceptions on many regional and global issues.

Speaking to business community at FPCCI Bathiudeen said the current bilateral trade volume stood at $338 million, which could be increase with the help of private sector. He said balance of trade has always been in favour of Pakistan, which was contributing to economic development of a brotherly country.

He said both governments have agreed to provide enhanced opportunities to the private sector to interact to benefit from untapped potential. Plans to cement links and other steps to further encourage Pakistani investors are on the cards, he added. He invited Pakistani investors to his country saying that strong post-war growth potential was an opportunity for everyone.

Pakistanis can get trade concession in all the countries and groupings of which Sri Lanka is a signatory. He informed we urgently need some fifty thousand head of cattle from Pakistan. Raza Khan of FPCCI said 8.1 percent growth, per capita GDP hike to $2400 and economic freedom standing at 57.1 proved that investors have trust in policies of Sri Lankan government, Daily Times reports.