ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed the importance of capitalising on the enormous goodwill that exists between Pakistan and Sri Lanka by expanding cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade and investment, tourism, culture, education, defence, and agriculture, on Monday.
Qureshi stressed the importance of strengthening existing fraternal relations between the two countries through high-level exchanges during a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Trade Dr Bandula Gunawardhana and State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, who visited him with a delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Recalling Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka in February last year, the foreign minister emphasised the importance of maximising the use of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement to improve bilateral trade relations (FTA). He noted that this may be accomplished by increasing engagement between the corporate groups on both sides, forming joint ventures, and investing in high-potential sectors.
In the framework of the government’s policy focus on geo-economics, Qureshi said that increasing economic cooperation through aggressive economic diplomacy was one of the government’s key priorities.
Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation in multilateral fora and to strengthen regional cooperation at the conference.
Dr Gunawardhana commended the Pakistani government for its warm hospitality and goodwill toward Sri Lanka at all levels, echoing the foreign minister’s remarks.
He also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s long-standing friendship and support for Sri Lanka, emphasising that the visit was aimed at improving mutually beneficial economic and commercial relations.
Sri Lanka wants to strengthen ties in a variety of areas, including ICT, pharmaceuticals, minerals, textiles, logistics, shipping, education, and tourism, he said.
The visiting delegation will be in Pakistan till the 27th of January.
