Pakistani PM and Sri Lankan counterpart launch ‘Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016’ to exploit business potential of both countries
Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Tuesday signed eight agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) at a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
The agreements for cooperation in fields of health, education, trade, technology, tourism, gems and jewelry were signed during delegation-level talks between the two countries.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka and his delegation were earlier accorded a formal welcome at the Presidential Palace upon his arrival for a reception.
Sri Lankan President Sirisena warmly received PM Sharif, who was accompanied by his wife Kalsoom Nawaz.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sharif said his visit to Sri Lanka was a testimony to strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
He said that Pakistan was keen to follow its goal of increasing bilateral trade volume with Sri Lanka to $1 billion. Both countries would jointly work to curb money laundering, he added.
The prime minister said that Pakistan was cooperating with Sri Lanka in the defence sector and the two countries would work together to choke financial assistance to terrorists.
Sharif also invited the Sri Lankan president to visit Pakistan.
President Sirisena thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in various fields and expressed the hope that ties between the two countries would strengthen with the passage of time.
Increase in bilateral trade volume is the need of the hour, he said.
The two leaders also held a one-on-one meeting during which President Sirisena said his country noticed that political disturbances in Pakistan were being eliminated under PM Nawaz’s leadership.
At the outset of the welcome ceremony, national anthems of the two countries were played and a guard of honour was presented.
Pakistani delegation comprised Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister of Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Advisor on National Security Lt General (r) Nasir Khan Janjua.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier presented his counterpart, Ranil Wickremesinghe, a book, ‘Majestic Pakistan’ at the launch ceremony on Monday. A Pakistan-Sri Lanka friendship anthem prepared by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo was also launched on the occasion.
`Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016′:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe also launched the `Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016′ aimed at tapping the business potential of the two countries.
Addressing a gathering of Pakistani and Sri Lankan businessmen at the Temple Tree – the office of prime minister, the prime minister invited the Sri Lankan businessmen to invest in Pakistan’s different areas.
The prime minister said that `Pakistan Single Country Exhibition’ would provide a useful platform to further enhance the excellent commercial and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
He termed it a timely opportunity for Sri Lankan businessmen to benefit from the vibrant and progressive economy of Pakistan.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoyed strong political relationship, however, he stressed that the economic relationship needed to be strengthened.
He said that Sri Lanka, for centuries, had been the heart of trade with routes up to Asia and Africa. He expressed his country’s interest to redefine trade links with Pakistan which, he said, was ready to open up a new trade corridor up to Central Asia.
The MoUs signed on the occasion included the following: 1) Ghabriwal Cement, Pakistan and Maxton Holding, Sri Lanka; Aman Centre for entrepreneur development, 2) IBA Karachi and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka 3) Stellar Rock Pvt. Ltd Pakistan and Eagle Powers Pvt. Ltd, 4) HKH Enterprises Pakistan and Lanka Business Consortium, 5) Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Council of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan and Sri Lanka Pakistan Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, 6) Pak Hy Oils and Granada Suppliers Sri Lanka, 7) Paidar Shipping Pakistan and Granada Suppliers and 8) Paidar Energy Pakistan and Maxton Holdings.
The exhibition organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in partnership with High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka features over 110 top organizations representing some of the Pakistan’s leading companies and brands.
The range include engineering products, auto parts, agro products, textile and clothing, designer wear, pharmaceuticals, cutlery, designer wear, gems and jewellery, carpets and marble.
