President Kumaratunga meets Pakistan’s Commerce Minister
[February 09, 2005 -3.00 GMT] 

The Commerce Minister of Pakistan Hamayoon Akthar Khan called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga at the Presidential Suite of her hotel in Islamabad yesterday. The two had a lengthy discussion on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) scheduled to be signed between the two countries today.

“The FTA between our two countries will mark a new era of our relations. We look forward to future expansion with this good start,” President Kumaratunga said, expressing satisfaction that the Agreement was finally on track.

The comprehensive FTA with Pakistan would be the second such agreement to be signed by Sri Lanka with another SAARC country. The first was with India, signed in 1998. This will be Pakistan's first FTA with a SAARC country.

“Sri Lanka’s free trade agreement with India is very successful. I am sure that we can learn from experiences of your FTA with India which will boost our bilateral relations,” said Minister Khan.

The President said that regional bilateral relations between the two countries would be a gateway to get the maximum out of world trade.

Both Pakistani Commerce Minister and Sri Lankan President expressed their satisfaction over SAFTA, which proceeds successfully. It was also emphasized that total regional cooperation would lead to greater benefits for each member nations of SAARC.

President Kumaratunga also expressed displeasure that SAARC as a whole was not moving forward satisfactorily.

Khan told the visiting Sri Lankan President that his Ministry is now planning to hold a single-country trade exhibition in Colombo soon, to promote industries of Pakistan and assured fullest support for Sri Lanka to have a similar exhibition in Pakistan.

The Minister also expressed his concern and condolences over the tsunami disaster and President Kumaratunga briefed him on the ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts.

Pakistani Commerce Secretary Tasneem Noorani and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

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Last Updated Date: February 09, 2005 - 3.00 GMT