KARACHI: Jagath Abeywarna, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Pakistan has said the both countries were enjoying excellent trade and diplomatic relations but joint efforts are needed to promote bilateral trade volume.

“Total trade volume between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is US 400 million dollars, out of which Pakistan exports worth $ 300 million to Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka exports worth $ 100 million while total exports of textile products from Sri Lanka is 45 percent,” he said this while exchanging views at a meeting with Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association (PYMA) members of the executive committee.

Jagath Abeywarna urged the members to enhance the level of exports in textile-related products.

“We will encourage Pakistani exporters for business delegations in order to expand exports to Sri Lanka. In this respect collaboration between businessmen of both the countries is the need of the day.”

Sohail Nisar, PYMA Senior Vice-Chairman said that Pakistan is Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. He stressed the need to promote air and sea connectivity between the two countries to strengthen cooperation in trade and industry.

He added that Pakistani products especially pharmaceuticals, rice, fruits, vegetables, cement and garments have a wide scope in the Sri Lankan market. Similarly, Sri Lankan tea, wall tiles, floor tiles etc have wide scope in Pakistan.

Therefore, the businessmen of both countries should make joint efforts for bilateral trade of goods according to the demand of both countries, which will increase the volume of trade.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022