Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Heshmat will be the guest speaker at the ‘Meet the High Commissioner’ seminar on ‘Bilateral Trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan’ on Wednesday, April 25 at the Chamber, from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10.
He will be accompanied by the Commercial Counselor of the High Commission. The participants will get an opportunity to have a close dialogue with the High Commissioner and other officials of the High Commission and get information on trade matters and services available for Sri Lankans.
Pakistan is the sixth most populated country in the world, having a population of 207 million. The textiles and apparel sector bring most of Pakistan’s export earnings. Besides, Pakistan is the only single market for Sri Lanka’s betel leaves and Pakistan imports 5,000-6,000 MT of betel leaves annually. Other exports from Sri Lanka to Pakistan are coconuts, textiles, rice, chemicals, natural rubber, rubber gloves, tea and spices. Sri Lanka imports from Pakistan, cotton fabrics, Portland cement machinery, chemical fertilizers, medicaments, plastics and transportation equipment.
Pakistan is Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner in the SAARC region. The value of trade between the two countries increased from US $ 158 million in 2005 to US$ 423.06 million in 2017.