COLOMBO: Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties in diverse areas, including trade, investment and culture through training and professional enhancement programs.
The understanding was reached at a meeting between Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and Sri Lankan Defence Secretary and State Minister of National Security and Disaster Management, Retired General G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne in Colombo.
Talking to the Air Chief, the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary said both countries enjoy a commonality of views on various regional and international issues. He also expressed his gratitude to Air Chief for attending the 70th Anniversary Celebrations of the Sri Lankan Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan lauded the efforts of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism and assured Pakistan s support and cooperation. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest came under discussion.
On January 24, Prime Minister Imran Khan had invited the Sri Lankan businessmen to invest in Pakistan and said trade connectivity among the countries of the Asian sub-continent was vital for poverty alleviation.
Addressing the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference held in Colombo jointly chaired with his Sri Lanka counterpart, PM Imran proposed establishing trade links similar to those among the European countries which could prove beneficial for the prosperity of the Asian subcontinent.
PM Imran Khan and Mahinda Rajapaksa led their business delegations at the conference held to explore avenues of collaboration in diverse fields.
The prime minister said political stability in the region by maintaining good relations with neighboring countries ensured a business-friendly environment that resulted in the development of the people.
He said Pakistan and Sri Lanka could explore the idea of generating wealth through joint business activities and diverting the wealth to alleviate poverty. PM Imran Khan offered the Sri Lankan businessmen to explore the immense opportunities offered by the government of Pakistan in the form of ease-of-doing-business.
