A Pakistani trade delegation of fruit and vegetable producers and exporters is visiting Sri Lanka to explore the ways and means to enhance bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan High Commission in Colombo told Business Recorder in an E-mail message.
The participants of the delegation specialise in the production and export of various fruits and vegetables including Guava, Chikoo (Sepatila), Mango, Citrus, Berry, Potato, Dry fruits, Gurr, Tobacco (cigar), fresh and dry dates etc. The delegation consists of 6-member and Faqir Nusrat Hussain is leading the delegation.
The message said that eager to reap maximum benefits from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the delegation would also explore the opportunities in the tea sector. The delegation would also visit Kandy to interact with the local Chamber of Commerce, Tea Research Board, and to visit Tea Factories and Spice gardens. During their stay in Sri Lanka, the delegation will be holding meetings with the Sri Lankan fruit and dry fruit importers as well as other stakeholders to explore the possibilities of enhancing bilateral trade.
The meetings scheduled with the Sri Lankan businessmen would offer a good opportunity to the local businessmen to gain awareness and knowledge about the prospects for expansion of the two-way trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the fruit and vegetable sector, the message added.
It may be recalled that Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan. Following FTA's coming into operation in June, 2005; bilateral trade between both the countries has been strengthened. Resultantly, Pakistan has now become the second largest trade partner for Sri Lanka in the South Asian region.
The message said that enhanced bilateral trade between the two friendly countries is reflected by an increase in the number of products imported from and exported to Sri Lanka such as fish, meat, vegetable, foliage, plant, sugar, biscuits, pastry, cakes, mineral products, fiber boards, leather and leather-based products, footwear, gems, jewellery, value-added copper products, electrical items, bicycles, boats, and floating structures.
There was a great demand for Pakistani produces such as cotton yarn, fabrics, potatoes, pharmaceutical products, knitted or crocheted fabrics, articles of iron and steel, galvanised pipes, rice, fish, seafood, textile articles, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, rods of refined copper etc, it added.
In its message Pakistan High Commission said that under FTA, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to offer preferential market access to each others' exports by way of granting tariff concessions. Sri Lanka enjoys duty free market access on 206 products in the Pakistani market, while Pakistan, gained duty free access on 102 products in the Sri Lankan market.
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