Sri Lankan investors are invited to participate in an international investors' conference that will be held early next year in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The conference under the theme, "Discover the Business Potential of Pakistan" is organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) in collaboration with the Pakistan Board of Investment.

The international forum aims for the promotion and enhancement of investment and trade ties between Pakistan and participating countries including Sri Lanka.

"The objective of the meeting is to build and strengthen effective public-private partnership mechanisms for capacity building, through enhanced networking, entrepreneurial mentorship and information exchange between and among trade policy-makers, investment promotion agencies, relevant multilateral organizations, research and academic institutions as well as private sector partners," a press release issued by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo said.

At the conference, the policy of Pakistani government on foreign investment and trade including Privatization and Regulatory Programme, etc. would be highlighted, the release says.

Pakistan is the 2nd largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the South Asian region.

Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan.

Under FTA, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to offer preferential market access to each other's exports by way of granting tariff concessions. The level of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka increased as a result of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Trade between the two countries increased from US$ 150 million to over US$ 300 million during the last three years, as it doubled within a short period of time with the positive support gained from the FTA.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have also signed the Bilateral Investment treaty in December 1997, which came into force in January 2000 after ratification. In addition a memorandum of understanding between Board of Investment Pakistan and Board of Investment Sri Lanka has also been signed in February 2007 for strengthening of cooperation in all the sectors of investment of both countries. This MoU provides support to the enterprises on both sides and encourages them to invest in both countries. The two Boards of Investment also practice sharing of information on investment policies and projects and encourage exchange of expertise.

The International Investors Conference shall not be a one way platform only for talks and discussions, but it shall be an event for interaction. It will gather businessmen face to face with the concerned project sponsors and potential investors. The International Investors Conference will bring together enthusiasm with experience and will combine creative ideas with financial acumen. It will provide the businessmen opportunity to meet and develop long term relations with Pakistan and their counterparts from the other countries including Sri Lanka. It is rarely that such a great number of experts, Government officials, financial agencies and leaders of private sector meet in one place.

For identification of industrial joint venture projects from Pakistan and presentation and negotiation at the Conference with the co-operating partners and financial institutions, a Project Profile Form has been prepared. A preliminary list of projects giving the project title, capacity, total investment cost, and type of assistance sought, study if available and address of sponsor/promoter will be provided to the participants. On the basis of individual interests, prospective foreign investors can be supplied, on request, with Project Profiles.