November 2, 2001	Friday	Shaba’an 15, 1422

ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: A 14-member trade delegation from Pakistan led by Tariq Ikram, Minister of State and Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau, visited Sri Lanka from October 29 to 30, to explore avenues of enhanced bilateral trade between the two countries.

The delegation comprised businessmen, manufacturers and exporters of rice, fresh fruits, spices, confectionery, tractors and agricultural machinery implements, pharmaceutical products, motorcycles, bulbs, fluorescent tubelights, jewellery & general ladies items and information technology (IT) from leading business houses in Pakistan.

The delegation met their counterparts, chamber of commerce and industry, Sri Lanka Business Council, government officials and others to explore the possibility of enhancing existing trade between the two countries, says message received here from Colombo on Thursday.

The leader of Pakistan delegation was successful in convincing Sri Lankan companies and the government officials that there is a lot of potential for both the countries and that those opportunities should be availed by the business communities of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The two sides agreed that with conclusion of the free trade agreement between the two countries bilateral trade would increase substantially. Members of the delegation also had individual meetings with their counterparts.

Two MoUs were also signed in the field of export of rice and pharmaceutical between Metco Rice with East West Agencies and ATCO Laboratory (Pvt) with Mackwood Ltd.—APP