Pakistani products: FPCCI hails Sri Lankan envoy’s plans to assess tariffs

KARACHI: President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mian Nasir Hayat Magoon considers it be no less than a break-through that Consul General of Sri Lanka, G L Gnanatheva has advised Pakistani businessmen, exporters, and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Council of FPCCI to have a comparative study on the tariffs Pakistani and Indian exporters in Sri Lanka have to pay on different products; while exporting to India.

Afterwards, the Consul General will assess and try to get the same tariffs to Pakistani exporters to address their grievances.

G L Gnanatheva said that traders of both countries should explore more varied sectors for the bilateral trade as a means to increase the bilateral trade to its true potential, as he feels that sticking to only few sectors would not make a big difference. He also praised the pricing and quality of motorcycle parts being made in Pakistan. He also emphasised the need to scale-up the cooperation in IT sector.

G L Gnanatheva opines to tea and rubber related joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

He was also keen on cooperation in Basmati variety of the rice and mentioned that he had a detailed meeting with REAP leadership in his office recently.

He said that he wants to see more Pakistani retail outlets selling Sri Lankan products.

Chairman, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Council of FPCCI, Zeeshan Shahid Sheikh thanked G L Gnanatheva for attending the meeting.

He also highlighted, based on his vast knowledge on trade with Sri Lanka, the issues that needs his attention to facilitate business and economic cooperation between the two countries. G L Gnanatheva has shown keen interest to resolve all the outstanding issues and address the allied challenges.

FPCCI is committed to help Pakistani business, industrial, and trade communities to fully capitalise on brotherly relations and geographical proximity with Sri Lanka and grow their businesses rapidly.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021