The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, in association with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), formally launched The EXPO Pakistan 2013 – Opportunities Unlimited in Colombo.
Sri Lankan Minister for Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiuddin graced the occasion as the chief guest and jointly inaugurated the event, with the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj Gen (r) Qasim Qureshi.
Sri Lankan Export Development Board Chairman Bandula Egodage, representatives of the main chambers of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Chambers, National Chambers of Industries, Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Women Chamber of Sri Lanka and the members of Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council, along with major business houses such as Aitkens Spence, Ceylon Biscuit Limited, Akbar brothers, Calico, CW Mackie, Haleys, Macksons, Eswaran Brothers, Packages Lanka, Hands Logistics and Tunip Lanka attended the ceremony. The deputy high commissioner of Pakistan gave detailed presentation on the EXPO Pakistan 2013, its history, concept, features and the logistics pertaining to the event.
The Pakistani high commissioner said that the economic diplomacy was the primary focus of the government in Pakistan. According to the policy guidelines issued, the Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad will undertake comprehensive steps to enhance and develop trade and commercial linkages with their host countries. In case of Sri Lanka, formal mechanism such as the Free trade Agreement, Bilateral Investment Treaty, Customs Cooperation Agreement and the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation are already in place. He urged the business communities of both countries to make use of these mechanisms to take the economic ties to a new level. He said that, all efforts will be made to attain the trade target of US $1 billion between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Joint Economic Commission established between the two countries is due to meet in a few months; it will address the existing irritants in trade and consider other avenues to expand the economic ties between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, the Sri Lankan minister welcomed the initiative of the high commission to introduce the EXPO Pakistan 2013 in an interactive session to the business community of Sri Lanka. Expressing his satisfaction on the progress and pace of economic ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he said that concerted efforts were needed on both sides to translate the excellent political relations into strong economic and commercial relations.
Bathiuddin announced that Sri Lanka under the aegis of Export Development Board would send a strong delegation to attend the EXPO Pakistan 2013.
