ISLAMABAD
\nRear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (Retd.), High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) along with Deputy Head of Mission Mr Christy Ruban and Minister Counsellor Mrs K.H.C. Sankpali to explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
\nAddressing the business community, the High Commissioner underscored that Sri Lanka and Pakistan share a longstanding friendship rooted in trust, mutual understanding, and regional cooperation.
\nHe described ICCI as a premier business platform committed to advancing trade, industry, and services, and expressed the Sri Lankan High Commission\u2019s keen interest in building a close, structured, and result-oriented partnership with the Chamber, said a release issued here on Wednesday.
\nHighlighting Sri Lanka\u2019s strategic advantages, he stated that the island nation\u2019s geographic position at the crossroads of major maritime trade routes connecting the Far East, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Australia, and America provides unmatched global connectivity.
\nHe noted that the Port of Colombo serves as a major container transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean with modern terminals and advanced infrastructure, while Hambantota International Port, Galle Port, and Trincomalee Port further enhance maritime capacity.
\nHe also emphasized Sri Lanka\u2019s strong air connectivity and improving economic outlook, particularly mentioning the 12 Export Processing Zones operating under the Board of Investment, offering dedicated facilities and attractive incentives for export-oriented industries.
\nThe High Commissioner shared that Sri Lanka has regained macroeconomic stability under the guidance of the IMF, with stabilized exchange rates, improved foreign reserves, and rising export earnings.
\nInviting Pakistani investors, he identified priority sectors including textiles and apparel, electronics, pharmaceuticals, IT and IT-enabled services, tourism, agriculture and food processing, construction and infrastructure, as well as automobile and light engineering, encouraging investment through independent ventures and collaborations.
\nEarlier, in his welcome address, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President ICCI, stated that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy cordial and brotherly relations founded on mutual respect and shared regional aspirations.
\nHe observed that the existing bilateral trade volume of approximately USD 400\u2013500 million does not reflect the true potential between the two friendly nations and stressed the need to diversify export portfolios, enhance market access, and promote stronger investment linkages.
\nHe highlighted Pakistan\u2019s competitive strengths in textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, sports goods, rice, cement, and IT services, while acknowledging Sri Lanka\u2019s global recognition in tea, rubber and rubber-based products, coconut products, gems and jewelry, tourism, and maritime services. By leveraging these complementarities, he said, both countries can substantially expand two-way trade and develop sustainable joint ventures.
\nThe ICCI President emphasized that regular exchange of trade delegations, single-country exhibitions, and structured B2B forums would serve as practical mechanisms to deepen commercial engagement.
\nHe assured full cooperation to the Sri Lankan High Commission in facilitating business networking, promoting joint ventures, and maximizing the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement framework to elevate bilateral trade to new heights.
\nSenior Vice President Tahir Ayub, former President Mian Shaukat Masood, and Chairman of the Inter-Regional Coordination Committee Kashif Zahir also highlighted the vast untapped trade and investment potential between the two countries.
\nThe meeting was attended by Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Members Zulqurnain Abbasi, Imran Minhas, Mirza Mohammad Ali, Ishaq Sial, Ms. Fatima Azim, Ms. Shumaila Siddiqui, former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry, ICCI member Sajid Iqbal, Chairman Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry, (PAEI) Khursheed Barlas, and a large number of representatives from the trade and industrial sectors.
\nIslamabad: Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presents a shield to Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (Retd.), High Commissioner of Sri Lanka. DHM Christy Ruban, Minister Counsellor Mrs. K.H.C. Sankpali, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Members Zulqurnain Abbasi, Imran Minhas, Mirza Mohammad Ali, Ms. Fatima Azim, Ms. Shumaila Siddiqui, Chairman (PAEI) Khursheed Barlas, Chairman Inter-Regional Coordination Committee Kashif Zahir and others are also present.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (Retd.), High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) along with Deputy Head of Mission Mr Christy Ruban and Minister Counsellor Mrs K.H.C. Sankpali to explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Addressing the business community, the High Commissioner […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-533560","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n