ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka to undertake a high-powered trade delegation to Pakistan led by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena before the end this year.this was annouonced at the at the 33rd International Achievement Awards and Business Opportunities Conference concluded in Colombo on Tuesday, November 23.
More than 100 delegates comprised the Pakistan delegation which was here for the conference.
Gunwardena was the chief guest at the event. It was announced at the end of the conference that Sri Lanka will reciprocate with a similar trade delegation headed by Minister Gunawardena befoe the end of this year. Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Tanvir Ahamed detailed the purpose of the mission which came from Rawalpindi
A total of nine agreements were signed between Pakistani and Sri Lankan companies
The accords were on education, pharmaceutical production, automobiles, information technology, auto spares and agreements between the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
State minister of foreign affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya and representatives from various local companies were also present at the event.
The event organized by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with its counterpart in Colombo, was attended by the more than 100 delegates from the old Pakistani capital of Rawalpindi.
Making the keybote address at the conference, Minister Gunawardena pointed out that the two countries are endowed with a lot of experiences that could be shared by the two countries for mutual benefits. Peoples of the two countries have developed a friendly relations which could be transformed into viable ventures between the two countries. He pointed out that tourism and information technology are the two important sectors that could be profitably developed between the two countries.
Leader of the Pakistani delegation,Sohail Altaf told Daily News that the visiting delegation was not looking for business partners but also it is keen on identifying viable projects for Paksitani investment in Sri Lanka.
“ There are Pakistani pharmaceutical companies which are interested i manufacturing pills for diabetes and hypertension with Sri Lankan partnership in Sri Lanakn, “ Altaf said, pointing out that this will be a viable venture and they look forward to strengthen this cooperation in several new areas for the betterment of the two nations.