KARACHI: Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi P.K. Sanjeewa Pattiwila has called for a more proactive approach to Pakistan-Sri Lanka trade, stressing that despite the bilateral trade agreement signed in 2005 and duty-free access available to both countries, trade relations have yet to achieve their considerable potential. He urged both countries to address trade-related technical barriers, review restrictive measures and strengthen business-to-business engagement to expand market access and create new commercial opportunities.
Speaking during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), he observed that both countries had adopted an overly defensive approach to trade, whereas businesses needed to pursue markets more aggressively and work with relevant authorities to remove obstacles. “In the business world, we cannot always remain on the defensive. We must proactively pursue markets and break down barriers to unlock the true potential of bilateral trade”, he emphasized.
President KCCI Talat Mahmood, Senior Vice President Aslam Pakhali, Vice President Atif Jamil Ur Rahman, Ex-Officio Rehan Hanif, and KCCI Executive Committee Members attended the meeting.
Sri Lankan CG highlighted the substantial imbalance in bilateral trade, noting that Pakistan’s exports to Sri Lanka stood at approximately US$450 million, compared with Sri Lankan exports to Pakistan of around US$90 million. Pakistan exports a range of industrial products, including cement and heavy materials, while Sri Lankan exports include betel leaves, electrical and electronic products, finished textile garments and, more recently, pineapples.
He stressed that there was considerable scope to diversify the export basket in both directions and encouraged Pakistani businesses to explore emerging opportunities in the Sri Lankan market. He also assured KCCI members of his support in facilitating trade-related engagement and addressing difficulties encountered by businesses.
Sanjeewa Pattiwila pointed out that although the two countries had established a bilateral trade framework, various technical barriers and additional taxes continued to affect market access. He urged both sides to engage in constructive dialogue with government authorities to identify and resolve these issues, citing the successful facilitation of pineapple exports as an example of how targeted engagement could open new opportunities.
The Consul General reaffirmed his willingness to assist Pakistani businesses on trade-related and visa matters, encouraging KCCI members to approach his office whenever they encountered difficulties requiring facilitation.
President KCCI Talat Mahmood, while welcoming the Sri Lankan CG, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening economic and commercial relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, emphasizing the need for closer cooperation between the two countries’ business communities to unlock untapped trade potential and enhance bilateral exports. He appreciated the Consulate’s role in facilitating business engagement and bridging the gap between the two business communities. He assured the Consul General that the Karachi Chamber would continue to work closely with him to promote trade, investment and commercial cooperation.
Talat Mahmood noted that the Karachi Chamber and the Sri Lankan Consulate shared a common responsibility to serve as a bridge between the two countries’ business communities. He expressed confidence that continued coordination would help identify new opportunities, address trade-related challenges and strengthen commercial ties.
Referring to the recent visit of a KCCI delegation to Sri Lanka, led by former Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza and accompanied by Aslam Pakhali, he appreciated the facilitation extended by the Sri Lankan Consulate, which contributed to the delegation’s successful engagements. He emphasized the need for Pakistan and Sri Lanka to make fuller use of their existing freight trade agreement and explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade through improved facilitation and greater business-to-business interaction.
President KCCI pointed out that several avenues for joint ventures and commercial cooperation already existed between the two countries, particularly in pharmaceuticals, textiles, rubber products, plastics, engineering goods, surgical instruments and food processing. He urged members of the Karachi business community to actively pursue these opportunities and focus on expanding Pakistan’s exports to Sri Lanka. “I want to see the available potential translated into tangible results on the ground. Our objective should be to turn these opportunities into real business activity and stronger exports,” he emphasized.
