Pakistan-Sri Lanka bilateral trade should be enhanced by identifying more potential products and effective utilisation of FTA between the two countries. These views were expressed by Anjum Nisar, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and V. S. Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka at the 3rd meeting of Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee of the KCCI
KCCI President, Anjum Nisar, welcomed the Sri Lanka's Consul General and expressed his gratitude towards better friendly relationship between the governments and people of both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
He briefed on the role of KCCI towards promotion of trade and business activities at national and international levels. KCCI President said even in the presence of FTA between both countries, bilateral trade was not properly promoted in the past and it was the time to explore its potential.
He asserted business community for persistent penetration and aggressive marketing of products and "Made in Pakistan" logo at Sri Lanka and capture its share as Indian exports were increasing in Sri Lankan market. He stressed the need for joint ventures in food processing, seafood, fruits and vegetables, ship-breaking, value-added textile products, sports and surgical goods and pharmaceuticals.
Anjum Nisar urged the Consul General to draw the attention of Sri Lankan Airline to operate direct flights to Colombo. Recently the flights were operated from Karachi-Mumbai-Colombo and were consuming a long time. The Consul General of Sri Lanka expressed gratitude and solidarity for the Pakistan and its citizens.
He complimented the vibrant role of KCCI to promote trade. He also recalled the MoU signed between KCCI and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to encourage the exchange of trade delegations and to earmark the potential trading items. He appreciated that Sri Lanka was enjoying trade with Pakistan in a friendly environment without any hurdle.
He ranked KCCI's "My-Karachi Exhibition" as a productive forum to explore the trade potential and ensured the participation of more Sri Lankan companies in "My-Karachi Exhibition 2010".
He highlighted that the trade volume between the two countries was increasing and after entering into FTA since 2002, the Sri Lankan exports had been increased from 39 million to 78 million and the Pakistan's exports to Sri Lanka enhanced from 107 million to 192 million this year. The accumulative increase in the bilateral trade was about 80 percent, at present the trade was encompassing about 4,600 products and there was a dire need for addition of more products, he asserted.
"Sri Lanka may act as gateway for the Pakistani exporters facing problems in export to India," he said and suggested to take the benefit of FTA and export to India via Sri Lanka.
He also requested KCCI President for holding a joint seminar to explore more opportunities on Pak-Sri Lanka bilateral trade for which he agreed. The meeting was largely attended by the Managing Committee Members of KCCI and dignitaries from the business community. KCCI President also presented KCCI crest to the Sri Lankan Consul General.-PR