Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan will visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow on a two day official visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He will be accorded a special Guard of Honour at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
Prime Minister Khan will attend bilateral meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, while several other high-level engagements are planned, including a Business and Investment Forum, as well as a sports diplomacy initiative.
Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan Prime Ministers will together preside over an event to sign several mutually beneficial bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on February 23 following their official talks at Temple Trees. Prime Minister Khan on his maiden official visit this year outside the country will be accompanied by a high-powered business and investment delegation that will consist of business leaders in Pakistan, mainly from the sectors of textile and apparel, pharmaceuticals, agro-food commodities, sports goods, gems and jewellery, auto parts, ICT, construction material and surgical equipment. The Pakistani Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Foreign Affairs Secretary Sohail Mehmood and senior Pakistan Government officials.
“Look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his delegation in SriLanka.This visit will further reinforce our bilateral relationship and pave way for joint ventures that mutually benefit both our nations,” PM Rajapaksa said in a Tweet on Saturday.
“Thank you for your invitation Prime Minister Rajapaksa. Looking forward to my visit to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” PM Khan said in a reply Tweet.
Pakistani Media quoting the Pakistan Commerce Ministry reported that Sri Lanka have agreed to reactivate the Joint Working Group (JWG) for redressal of technical issues pending between the two trading partners.
“The understanding was reached during the seventh session of commerce secretary level talks between the two countries. The virtual meeting was held on February 18, ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka.
“An official announcement said it was decided to conduct the next JWG meeting during the first half of 2021. The two sides further agreed to enhance cooperation in trade-related matters so that the true potential of the Free Trade Agreement could be effectively exploited.
“The Pakistani delegation was led by MoC Special Secretary Dr.Muhammad Sohail Rajput while the Sri Lankan side was represented by Trade Ministry Secretary Bhadranie Jayawardhana.
“The delegates engaged in productive and meaningful discussions on strengthening trade ties and resolving issues impeding trade. Prospects of enhancing trade through mutual cooperation and facilitation were also discussed, the MoC announcement said.
“The secretaries emphasised on the need to use this forum to further strengthen the existing bilateral trade and investment linkages and expressed their commitment to enhance trade relations by removing various impediments.
“The secretaries agreed to the text of Memorandum of Understanding in the field of investment and resolved that it will usher new avenues of bilateral investment.The meeting concluded with the commitment to expand and cement bilateral relationships between the two countries.
“The Sri Lankan side acknowledged that Pakistan has been a long-standing trading partner, a closer ally and the country was eagerly looking forward to the upcoming visit of the Pakistani premier to Colombo, the announcement added,” reported Dawn.
