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by Manjula Fernando

Pakistan will sign its first Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka next week. Visiting Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf will sign this agreement along with two more MoUs on bilateral issues during his whistle stop stay.

The FTA which is to come into effect later this year is expected to boost Sri Lankan tea, gems and Jewellery exports to Pakistan while Pakistan is hopeful of expanding their electronic, textile and food market here.

On his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, the Pakistani President will be received by Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando.

The Pakistani President will meet President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on July 31, on the day of his arrival where she will host a dinner in his honour at the President's House, diplomatic sources said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will hold talks with the Pakistani President the next day after which the latter will be hosted to a banquet at Temple Trees.

General Musharraf will also meet Defence Minister Tilak Marapana and Shipping and Ports Development Minister Rauf Hakeem during his short stay.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake met with the Pakistani's Commerce, Industries and Production Minister Abdul Razak Dawood in Islamabad this week to finalise the FTA and two technical teams met earlier this year to discuss in detail the concessions to be shared by the two countries.

Pakistani President will be arriving in Sri Lanka after an official visit to Bangladesh on Monday.

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