PM’s visit to Sri Lanka to help boost economic ties: Saarc CCI chief

LAHORE: President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik on Monday said that 2-day maiden official visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Sri Lanka will further cement bilateral ties with special focus to gear up trade and strengthen economic cooperation between two countries.

Talking to media here today he said it’s good omen for the private sectors of both countries that PM Imran Khan will also participate in a joint ‘Trade and Investment Conference’ aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries followed by a number of MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Iftikhar Ali Malik who remained actively associated with SAARC Chamber for the last three decades having deep insight said current visit is poised to help further strengthen the relationship and enhance mutual cooperation in diverse fields. He said that the current trade between both countries is not entirely encouraging, but both countries have markets for each other’s primary products.

SAARC Chamber Chief observed that Pakistan is an important market for tea products, which also happens to be a top Sri Lankan export item, and Pakistan is also a significant importer of copra and rubber, both items are important Sri Lankan exports.

Similarly, Sri Lanka is an important market for textile products, machinery, and pharmaceuticals along with other products that Pakistan records significant exports. He said therefore there is a huge trade potential between both countries if the FTA is utilised properly.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said that Pak companies have invested significantly in agriculture, information technology and construction sectors of Sri Lanka while its construction industry is growing rapidly creating huge demand of Pak cement. Pak private sector can also capture sugar export market in Sri Lanka which imports its 90 percent sugar requirements.

He said what’s both countries needed is to diversify their products through research, innovation and value addition adjusting according to the demands of each other markets. He said non tariff barriers have smothered the impact of tariff rationalisations. He said due to lack of awareness, exporters do not make full use of market potential and benefits under free trade agreement. Iftikhar Ali Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to SAARC and expressed the hope that the process of regional co-coordination would be allowed to move forward, he concluded.—PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021