COLOMBO, July 30: President Pervez Musharraf will discuss economic ties and possibly sign a free-trade trade deal after he arrives in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a Foreign Ministry official said.

“Most probably they will sign a trade agreement,” the Foreign Ministry official said.

The one-day trip will likely bring back memories for Musharraf who last visited Sri Lanka in October 1999, days before he took power in Pakistan in a bloodless coup.

Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanayake visited Islamabad earlier this month and held talks with his counterpart Abdul Razzak Dawood about the trade deal.

Trade between the countries has been low, totalling less than $100 million in 2000, and Sri Lanka is hoping to gain a market for its key tea and garment exports.

Musharraf will attend a state dinner in his honour hosted by President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Wednesday night and then hold talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday before flying back to Pakistan.—Reuters