Sri Lankan President Maithripala inaugurates Pakistan's single country exhibition in Colombo

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena along with Pakistan's Minister for Commerce Mohammad Pervaiz Malik and High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, inaugurated the 3rd edition of Pakistan's single country exhibition at BMICH on Friday.

While addressing the inauguration ceremony Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Mohammad Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have excellent diplomatic and economic relations and for Pakistan, Sri Lanka is amongst the top focus countries for greater trade relations. He said that Pakistan is one of the rapidly emerging economies of the world with friendly business environment created by the present government through policies aimed at achieving micro-economic stability in the country, said a press release.

He expressed the hope that such events would set the foundations for greater people-to-people connectivity and mutual economic growth. He lauded that the event has attracted a significantly large number of businessmen from both the countries.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, organised the 3rd edition of Pakistan single country exhibition, featuring leading Pakistani companies and manufacturers of engineering products, auto parts, agro products, textile and clothing, designer wear, handicraft and traditional textiles, pharmaceuticals, cutlery, furniture, carpets, marble and services.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, while addressing the inaugural ceremony said that this exhibition was aimed at promoting and strengthening the Sri Lanka–Pakistan business interests. He said the exhibition would provide a great opportunity to Sri Lankan business houses to meet visiting companies from Pakistan through B2B interactions.

He 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 enjoy their shopping at the exhibition.

After the inauguration, the President along with Ministers and dignitaries visited different stalls of the exhibition particularly a special stall on Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan established by the High Commission of Pakistan. The president was presented a book, DVD and leaflets on Pakistan’s Buddhist Heritage.

The event was attended by Sri Lankan ministers, parliamentarians, several important personalities from the Sri Lankan business and trade sectors along with Sri Lanka based diplomatic corps and a large number of people from different walks of life. The exhibition will remain open until 14th January 2018 for general public.