High Commissioner Meets with the President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Rawalpindi
Islamabad – 17 October 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Rear – Admiral Fred Senevirathna, held a meeting with the President, Usman Shaukat, executive members and the business leaders of RCCI at the Office of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad.
The President of the RCCI, Usman Shaukat, along with its members, warmly welcomed the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka and congratulated him on his appointment. He noted that the visit symbolizes the strong and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, rooted in mutual respect, trust, regional cooperation, and historical goodwill.
In his address, the President emphasized the importance of strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations. He highlighted the need to further enhance trade relations and increase trade volume by leveraging the opportunities offered by the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.
The High Commissioner expressed his appreciation to the President for arranging the meeting with warm hospitality and acknowledged the continued collaboration between the two countries, says press note.
During the discussion, High Commissioner Senevirathne provided an overview of Sri Lanka’s current political and economic landscape, highlighting the new Government’s commitment to good governance and its vision to create greater opportunities for foreign investors.
He emphasized Sri Lanka’s remarkable journey of resilience following a severe economic crisis, highlighting the restoration of macroeconomic stability and a notable rise in foreign reserves beyond critical levels. He also pointed to the stability of the foreign exchange rate, higher export earnings recorded over the past six months, and a significant increase in tourist arrivals from around the world. Additionally, he underscored the steady inflow of foreign direct investment as a strong indicator of growing international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
The High Commissioner further outlined the facilities and advantages available to foreign investors in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the Government’s strong commitment to fostering a competitive and investor-friendly environment. He highlighted several key benefits, including reduced corporate income tax rates for targeted sectors such as SMEs, export-oriented goods and services, IT, education, tourism, and agriculture.
Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical location along major maritime trade routes connecting the Far East, Middle East, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Americas offers seamless global shipping access. He also noted the availability of a highly educated and adaptable workforce with expertise across various sectors of trade and commerce. In addition, Sri Lanka boasts robust infrastructure, including extensive road networks, modern telecommunications, and fully equipped Export Processing Zones, along with the provision of land allocations for prospective investment projects.
During the gathering, Minister/Head of Chancery A. Christy Ruban gave a presentation on the upcoming Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from December 2 to 4, 2025, as well as the Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025, followed by a Q&A session.
Finally, the High Commissioner invited RCCI entrepreneurs and investors, representing the premier business association of Pakistan, which serves over 8,000 active members ranging from large-scale manufacturers to home-based small businesses to explore opportunities related to the upcoming event in Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka’s dynamic sectors, including tourism and leisure, information technology, agriculture, apparel, export manufacturing, education, export services, and infrastructure.
