KARACHI, Feb 26: Sri Lankan Consul General Ms Manel De Silva has said that Pakistan-Sri Lanka free trade agreement (FTA) will be a reality soon and both the governments are moving on a fast track to achieve this purpose.

Ms De Silva said the Sri Lankan businessmen were very keen and eager to have an FTA with Pakistan. She called for more exchange of trade delegations, personal interaction between businessmen, and making fast moves to establish trade relations without waiting for the FTA.

In a meeting with members of the Site Association of Trade and Industry, Ms De Silva disclosed that the Indian-Sri Lankan FTA had resulted in a bilateral trade in excess of 120 billion Sri Lankan rupees.

She said that this should be an eye-opener, and that a basis could be formed taking this into account, says a press release of the Site Association issued here on Thursday.

Ms De Silva also highlighted the need for more tourism activities and said that both the countries could promote the tourist attractions. She further said that Sri Lankan Airlines had come out with many attractive packages for Pakistani tourists.

Ms De Silva emphasized that Safta would bring regional countries closer to each other and that the scope for economic activities was formidable for Saarc nations. Terming Asia as the future of the world, she added that Pakistani and Sri Lankan businessmen must gear up for the coming years.