ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to improve economic and trade ties and to raise bilateral trade volume to $1 billion within the shortest time period.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena held delegation-level talks at the PM’s House on Monday, where they witnessed the signing of agreements and noted their “excellent cooperation” in different areas.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that Sri Lanka enjoys a special position of being the first country with which Pakistan signed a Free Trade Agreement in August 2002.
He, however, pointed out that the present volume of trade does not reflect true potential.
He added, “We have agreed to re-invigorate our effort to realise the goal of achieving $ 1 billion bilateral trade target within the shortest possible time.”
The Sri Lankan president said the two sides agreed to improve their economic and trade ties and welcomed Pakistani investment. “We invite the Pakistan International Airlines to recommence flights to Sri Lanka.”
The Sri Lankan president also mentioned the excellent partnership with Pakistan in the field of education and stressed further collaboration to enhance people-to-people and business-to-business ties.
