Sri Lanka - Pakistan Joint Economic Commission in Colombo

THE 9th Session of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission is scheduled to be held in Colombo May 12-13. The Sessions of the Joint Economic Commission are held alternately in the capitals of the two countries. The last Session was held in Islamabad.

The main objective of the Joint Economic Commission is to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries and to explore new areas for cooperation in the fields such as Trade and Commerce, Investment and Joint Ventures, Credit Facilities, Industries and Production, Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Communication, Transport, Science and Technology, Natural Resources, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Education and Technical Assistance, Water and Power, Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Trade said yesterday.

The Sessions of the Joint Commission are held at Ministerial level of the two countries. The Sri Lanka delegation will be led by Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Other members of the delegation include representatives from the concerned ministries, government departments and institutions which are involved in the areas of cooperation with Pakistan under the Joint Economic Commission in their respective fields.

The Pakistan delegation will be led by Humayun Akhtar Khan, Minister of Commerce, Government of Pakistan.

At the Joint Commission Session to be held in Colombo, it's expected that the two countries would also exchange diplomatic notes informing each other of the completion of the constitutional and procedural requirements in respect of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement for its implementation after 30 days from the exchange of the diplomatic notes.

During the visit, the Pakistan Minister is expected to call on the President, Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance.

He is also expected to address the members of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Council and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.