13th round of ETCA talks to take place in India in January

Minister Bandula Gunawardena 

The 13th round of Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) negotiations between Sri Lanka and India are scheduled to be held from 8-10 January in India, Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday.

“The aim is to conclude the technical level discussions by March 2024, as revealed by information presented to the Cabinet of Ministers following the 12th round of discussions,” he said at the post-Cabinet-meeting media briefing yesterday.

The 12th round of talks took place in Colombo from 30 October to 1 November showcased active engagement between the two nations. During these discussions, the participating groups from both parties reached agreements on various pertinent sectors. 

“There are different pacts both countries must agree on, but there were areas that both parties could not be agreed up on. Hence, the 12th round has paved the way for the forthcoming talks,” he explained. 

Gunawardena said getting the trade agreement finalised soon is important for Sri Lanka to reap the full potential of an export-led economy. 

The proposal to this effect submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Tuesday.