RAWALPINDI, MAR 24 (DNA) -: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that Sri Lanka is a close friend of Pakistan and both countries are enjoying good relations. He said this on Saturday during a breakfast meeting with President RCCI Zahid Latif Khan at a local hotel In Islamabad. Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Major General (Retd) Jayanath C.P. Lokuketagodage was also present on this occasion.

During the meeting President Sirisena appreciated the role of business community in promoting trade ties between the two countries.  He expressed hope that the bilateral ties will continue to grow in the future as Sri Lanka consider Pakistan a key ally.  He also invited RCCI President Zahid Latif Khan to visit Sri Lanka and hold meetings with counterparts. RCCI Chief accepted the invitation and said RCCI will take a trade delegation to Sri Lanka in near future and holds B2B meetings with chamber of commerce representatives there. During the meeting RCCI President Zahid Latif Khan apprised him about the current and future activities of the chamber. He said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was not encouraging and stressed that both countries should focus on improving business linkages between their private sectors for exploring all untapped areas of mutual cooperation. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has now become a reality on the ground and Sri Lanka can take benefit of this opportunity and use CPEC corridor to export goods in Central Asian Republics, he added. There is a need to diversify and deepen the bilateral relations, Khan urged.

Sri Lankan High Commission Jayanath  Lokuketagodage said Sri Lanka has made attractive investment policies for foreign investors and Pakistani investors should explore Sri Lanka for JVs and investment.