December 12, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 13, 1429

COLOMBO, Dec 10: Sri Lanka’s exports to India have declined by 13 per cent to $346 million over the past year despite a seven per cent growth in the Indian economy during the period, according to a Sri Lankan trade expert.

However, Sri Lanka’s exports to Pakistan have grown by 31 per cent in the same period despite the fact that Pakistan has been having a tough time, both politically and economically, says Rohantha Athukorala, former chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

He points out that Sri Lanka-Pakistan bilateral trade is still very small in comparison with Sri Lanka-India trade. Sri Lanka’s exports to Pakistan are just $50 million.

The cause of for concern is that exports to India have been declining steadily in the past three years, Athukorala states.

Sri Lanka’s main exports are garments and tea, but both do not find a foothold in the Indian market.

India has increased its quota from three million garment pieces a year to seven million, but this is not reflected in trade statistics.