July 12, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka later this month will focus on strengthening Pakistan’s economic ties with the two countries.

Officials who attach special importance to President Musharraf’s upcoming visit to the two South Asian countries said on Thursday that it would enhance Pakistan’s bilateral ties in the economic field with its two major trading partners in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

“The main thrust of the visit will be on improving economic relations with the two countries,” said an official of ministry of foreign affairs, adding that a number of agreements in the economic sector will be inked with both the countries during president’s visit.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently negotiating a landmark free trade agreement that is expected to be in place by September. This will be the first agreement to be inked by Pakistan for the free trade area with any country.

Officials said President Musharraf’s visit to the two nations starting July 29 was significant as it would be his first bilateral visit to any South Asian country since he assumed power.

President Musharraf visited Nepal in January but that was for the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu and hence not a bilateral one. Officials said President Musharraf’s visit to India was also in a different context. “It was not aimed at enhancing bilateral ties but was geared towards problem-resolution,” explained a senior diplomat.

President’s forthcoming visit is in response to invitations from the prime minister of Bangladesh and president of Sri Lanka.

President Musharraf will visit Bangladesh from July 29 to 31 and Sri Lanka from July 31 to Aug 2. In Dhaka he will hold talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and his counterpart Jamiruddin Sircar. In Colombo he will meet with the Sri Lankan president.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inam-ul-Haq and Commerce Minister Razzak Dawood will accompany President Musharraf.