A meeting of Sri Lankan Government officials and Chairman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development & Management Company (KPEZDMC) was held in Sri Lanka to discuss the bilateral trade and economic strengthening projects of both countries.
The meeting was attended by Ghulam Dastgir, Chairman, KPEZDMC, Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan Federal Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Pakistani ambassador to Sri Lanka and Minister of Commerce and Industry Risad Badiutheen.
The main objective of the meeting was strengthening of Pakistan and Sri Lankan economic and commercial relations to contribute to the rapid diversification and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries and specifically to bring investments to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and start joint collaboration projects among KP and the Sri Lankan Government.
A number of joint ventures were discussed including developing of free trade zones of an area of 500 acres in both the countries, provision of vocational trainings, tourist exchange programs including the religious exchange and investor referral programs in areas of power generation through hydel and thermal sources.
The Sri Lankan Government representatives agreed on establishing gems and jewellery lapidary in the Provincial Capital, Peshawar. The gems and jewellery lapidary would provide master training programs in the area with 150 trainers to be trained in the first phase. To get an insight on the investment opportunities, special initiatives, incentives to the foreign investors and mainly the economic zones KPEZDMC is developing in various areas of KP the Sri Lankan Federal Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has committed to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with his delegation of Sri Lankan Government officials to visit Peshawar, KP.
Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena showed immense interest in vitalising commercial relations of both countries, he specifically took interest in opportunities for investors in gems and jewellery sector in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and committed to work towards establishing a training institute that would work towards the skill enhancement. Ghulam Dastgir, Chairman KPEZDMC said that both the countries are striving to further strengthen trade and economic ties for mutual benefits.