Pakistan Business Forum in Colombo next week

Friday, 14 July 2023 02:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka – Pakistan Business Council (SLPBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold a prestigious Business Forum and a series of exclusive B2B meetings with a distinguished business delegation from Pakistan on 19 July at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

The event will provide a platform to explore and expand opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. The delegation from Pakistan has expressed keen interest in importing diverse products from Sri Lanka, including coir fibre yarn, coco peat, FMCG products, food and beverages, coconuts, spices, plywood, rubber and tyres. In return, the delegates are keen to export fresh fruits and vegetables as well as seeds, dairy products, textiles, heavy machinery and equipment.

In addition, the delegation is actively seeking to invest in high-quality seed and milling plants in Sri Lanka, and has also expressed interest in providing shipping/marine-related services to exporters.

Organised in collaboration with the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi, Jagath Abeywarna, this visit is being facilitated by the Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum (PSLBF), which is the counterpart organisation in Pakistan of the SLPBC. The visit follows a recent business promotion mission to Karachi conducted by the SLPBC, where the Council’s leadership emphasised the significance of fostering exchanges and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

While recent times have witnessed a decline in imports from Sri Lanka to Pakistan due to economic challenges faced by the country and the temporary import ban imposed by the Pakistani government on non-essential items from all countries to address balance of payments issues, the government of Pakistan has lifted the ban on major items from Sri Lanka such as coconut and coconut products, tamarind, cosmetics, personal care, and kitchen products. Consequently, exports of these items from Sri Lanka have resumed.

The SLPBC said it is committed to strengthening bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The council continues to prioritise providing full support and facilitation to the Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum and Sri Lankan businesses.