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Free trade and national dynamism

The Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement - which is the centrepiece of a number of bilateral economic agreements between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, - could be expected to open a new chapter in trade and economic cooperation between the countries and contribute significantly towards the growth dynamism of the economies concerned.

Accordingly, the Government guided by President Kumaratunga, could be said to have taken a bold and correct decision in Sri Lanka's interest.

As we commented two days ago, Pakistan has proved a friend-in-need in the past and the current series of agreements in the trade and economic field could be expected to cement these flourishing relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

While bilateral trade between the countries could register a significant rise on account of the slashing of tariff and non-tariff barriers in respect of a range of goods and services, the Pakistani business community - we hope - would avail of the existing business opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Coming close on the heels of the tsunami devastation, the new trade and economic agreements between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, should showcase to the world, Sri Lanka's undying enthusiasm to go ahead with the task of development - untrammelled by tragedy.

Inasmuch as the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement has worked to the mutual benefit of our countries largely, the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement too could be expected to yield a rich harvest of economic possibilities for both countries.

Both State and non-State actors in this country, we hope, would work hard from now on to exploit the possibilities in these agreements.

While bilateral trade agreements among member countries of SAARC should help in complementing the region's efforts at achieving a degree of collective growth, economic vibrancy within SAARC wouldn't be possible without the full functioning of SAARC.

Unfortunately the SAARC process has suffered a setback at present, necessitating the postponement of this year's SAARC Heads of State and Government Summit, but we hope an earnest effort would be made to make SAARC fully functional once again.

Accordingly, we appreciate the concern shown by Pakistani President Pervaiz Musharraf and President Kumaratunga over the problems confronting SAARC at present.

It is our position that the SAARC process should not only be revived immediately but sufficiently protected against setbacks of this kind which dash the hopes of SAARC's poverty-stricken millions.

Ideally, we need a united and enthusiastic effort among the SAARC Seven to insulate SAARC against intrusive factors which militate against the core aims of the grouping such as poverty alleviation and free trade.

Coming back to bilateral trade pacts, showcasing our potentialities to the world is one thing, exploiting them fully another.

Sri Lankans are usually eulogised by even foreigners as having both the brawn and the brains, but we in Sri Lanka know for a fact that motivation and discipline among the employed segment of our population leave much to be desired. Besides, we have been portrayed as a country of Lotus Eaters.

In the days ahead, the rulers of Sri Lanka in particular should ensure that these popular, negative conceptualizations of the Lankan populace are proved wrong. The Government should, if needed, take unpopular but correct policy decisions to generate unprecedented, local economic growth.

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