Sri Lanka to expand trade ties with Pakistan

[Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 05.50 GMT]  

Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be expanded from the existing US$ 385 million to US$ 1 billion, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today (February 7) he said that during his talks with the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, the two sides expressed a desire to forge a comprehensive economic partnership for mutual benefit.

The two countries had discussed how to make the Joint Economic Commission and the Joint Council more effective to give a boost to trade and economic cooperation.

The two countries were discussing the issuance of multiple visas for business travel to allow businessmen in the two countries to have more interaction.

Foreign Minister also proposed an increase in the number of scholarships by the two countries to boost cooperation in education.