SL, Pakistan discuss new measures to boost bilateral ties

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana and Regional Cooperation State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya – both of whom are on an important one week visit to Pakistan – in Karachi yesterday.

Highlighting the importance of strengthening the existing fraternal relations between the two countries through high-level exchanges, Qureshi underlined the need to capitalise on the immense goodwill that exists between Pakistan and Sri Lanka by expanding cooperation across diverse areas, including trade and investment, tourism, culture, education, defence, agriculture, human resource development, etc.

Recalling the Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka in February 2021, he said that all efforts must be made to enhance bilateral trade relations through optimal utilisation of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), particularly by expanding interaction between the business communities on both sides, and joint ventures and investments in high potential sectors.

Qureshi noted that deepening economic cooperation through proactive economic diplomacy was a top priority for the government in the context of its policy focus on geo-economics.

Reciprocating the sentiments, Gunawardhana thanked the Government of Pakistan for its warm hospitality and goodwill towards Sri Lanka at all levels. He appreciated Pakistan’s consistent friendship and support for Sri Lanka and noted that his visit was aimed at further advancing mutually beneficial economic and trade relations. Sri Lanka is keen to expand ties in the whole range of sectors including ICT, pharmaceuticals, minerals, textiles, logistics, shipping, education and tourism.

Both sides also agreed to continue close collaboration in multilateral fora and to strengthen regional cooperation.