The “Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016” launched at Colombo

Colombo: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday launched the `Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016′ aimed at tapping the business potential of two countries.

Addressing a gathering of Pakistani and Sri Lankan businessmen here at the Temple Tree – the office of Prime Minister, the Prime Minister invited the Sri Lankan businessmen to invest in Pakistan’s different areas.

The Prime Minister said the `Pakistan Single Country Exhibition’ would provide a useful platform to further enhance the excellent commercial and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

He termed it a timely opportunity for Sri Lankan businessmen to benefit from the vibrant and progressive economy of Pakistan.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoyed strong political relationship, however stressed that the economic relationship needed to be strengthened.

He said Sri Lanka, for centuries, had been the heart of trade with routes upto Asia and Africa. He expressed his country’s interest to redefine trade links with Pakistan which he said was ready to open up new trade corridor upto Central Asia.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe lauded Prime Minister Sharif for taking step for strengthening the national economy and for the well-being of people.

The two prime ministers witnessed the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding between the private sector of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The MoUs were signed between

1) Ghabriwal Cement, Pakistan and Maxton Holding, Sri Lanka; Aman Centre for entrepreneur development,

2) IBA Karachi and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka

3) Stellar Rock Pvt. Ltd Pakistan and Eagle Powers Pvt. Ltd,

4) HKH Enterprises Pakistan and Lanka Business Consortium,

5) Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Council of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan and Sri Lanka Pakistan Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce,

6) Pak Hy Oils and Granada Suppliers Sri Lanka,

7) Paidar Shipping Pakistan and Granada Suppliers and

8) Paidar Energy Pakistan and Maxton Holdings.

The exhibition organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in partnership with High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka features over 110 top organizations representing some of the Pakistan’s leading companies and brands.

The range include engineering products, auto parts, agro products, textile and clothing, designer wear, pharmaceuticals, cutlery, designer wear, gems and jewellery, carpets and marble.

Meanwhile; Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Tuesday signed eight bilateral instruments in diverse fields including cooperation in trade, financial intelligence,science and technology and healthcare.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Srisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe witnessed the signing of documents at a ceremony held here at the President’s Secretariat.

An Agreement on cooperation in the field of health was signed between the Pakistan government and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.

The MoU on cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing was signed between the Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka and Financial Monitoring Unit of Pakistan.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan signed an MoU with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Research in the field of scientific innovation and cooperation.

The Pakistan Science Foundation and National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka inked an MoU on scientific and technological cooperation.

The MoU on sharing statistical and census data was signed between the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka.

The MoU between the Ministry of Information,Broadcasting and National Heritage and Sri Lanka’s  Ministry of International Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs was signed on cooperation in the field of culture.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka signed an MoU on cooperation in trade.

The MoU for cooperation between the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design and the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute of Sri Lanka was also inked.

Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan, PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Secretary Commerce Muhammad Shehzad Arbab inked the relevant documents.