FTA: Pakistan, Sri Lanka for enhanced trade Ties
'Pakistan Times' Business & Commerce Desk

SANYA (China): President Pervez Musharraf and President Mahinda Rajapakse of Sri Lanka on Friday agreed on improving their trade and commerce ties with specific focus on continuing Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The two leaders met in the southernmost city of Hainan on the sidelines of Boao Forum.They discussed measures for bolstering economic ties between their two countries.

Sri Lanka is the second country after China to have Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan.

Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama said the meeting was”very productive” and it would facilitate take Pak-Sri Lankan cooperation to the highest level.

He said President Pervez Musharraf and President Mahinda Rajapakse discussed issues of common interest including the forthcoming SAARC’s heads of state summit to be held next August in Colombo.

He said Sri Lanka was a member of Commonwealth and it looked forward to Pakistan again joining the organisation .

The minister in his comment on FTA said the two countries had Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and they desired to further enhance their cooperation in economic terms.●