Trade expansion with Sri Lanka urged

LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javaid has said that there is a vast scope for expansion of two-way trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the presence of free trade agreement (FTA), a statement said on Friday.

Addressing Sri Lankan businessmen at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL), Sri Lanka and Colombo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said, there is a need to strengthen multifaceted and multi-sectoral cooperation in the fields of herbal medicine, gem and jewellery, culture, commerce and trade, science and technology and tourism.

He advocated for joint ventures between the businessmen of the two countries and to make joint efforts for increasing the existing trade volume.

Javaid called for collaboration in construction, sugar, cement, paper and paper board, electronics, software development, food processing and preservation, dairy products and storage tanks, mineral mining, handicrafts, gems and jewellery and livestock breeding.

FCCISL and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ruwan Edirisinghe praised Pakistan government and people for their moral support to Sri Lanka on every issue. He; however, said except for trade, everything else is fine between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.