COLOMBO: Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2017 organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) along with High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka with an aim to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, inaugurated in Colombo.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Major General (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain along with Chief Guest Minister for Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara formally inaugurated the three-day exhibition from January 13 – 15 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
Ministers Navin Dissanayake, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sagala Ratnayake, M.H.A. Haleem, State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, and Chief Executive of Trade Development of Pakistan (TDAP) S M Muneer also joined the occasion.
The 2nd edition of the Pakistan Single Country exhibition is featuring leading Pakistani companies and manufacturers of Engineering Products, Auto Parts, Agro Products, Textile & Clothing, Designer Wear, Handicraft & Traditional Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Cutlery, Furniture, Carpets, Marble and Services.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan highlighted that Pakistan is a country of 200 million people with nearly 50 billion USD imports and it is expected that growth would reach from current 5% to 7% in next two years with the investment under CPEC projects. He urged the Sri Lankan government to explore Pakistan as market for Sri Lankan goods and services.
High Commissioner Shakeel Hussain expressed the hope that the people of Sri Lanka will not only have the opportunity to witness the varieties of Pakistan’s countless and extremely diverse products but will also be able to buy them.
Sri Lankan Minister for Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake said that the importance of collaboration between the two friendly countries has increased tremendously in modern times for promoting cultural, civilizational and trade dialogue. He added that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are bonded together not only in the world of Cricket but other sports activities.
Minister Dissanayake recalled that Pakistan has rendered unconditional support to Sri Lanka in the form of military hardware and training to eliminate terrorism. When Jaffna was on the verge of separation, on the call of the then Sri Lanka President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunga, the Pakistan’s leadership quickly responded and provided necessary equipment and support to curb the insurgency. The government and people of Sri Lanka will never forget this great support of Pakistan government. This relationship between the two brotherly countries are getting stronger day-by-day, he added.
The Chief Executive of TDAP Mr. SM Muneer appreciating the support and cooperation extended by the Government and people of Sri Lanka for organizing the exhibition in a befitting manner, said that Pakistan is one of the rapidly emerging economies of the world with friendly business environment created by the current government through policies aimed at achieving micro-economic stability in the country.
After inauguration, the dignitaries visited the stalls and appreciated the enormous variety and quality of Pakistani products.
The exhibition will remain open until 15th January 2017 for general public.
