FPCCI and Sri Lankan Envoy Discuss Deeper Bilateral Cooperation
Pakistan and Sri Lanka Stress Enhanced Trade and Economic Cooperation
ISLAMABAD — 13 August 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : Rear Admiral (R) Fred S. W. W. Siriwardena, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and met with FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighted that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed decades of cultural and trade ties, which need to be further strengthened. He noted that there are vast opportunities for collaboration in agriculture, IT, and various other sectors, adding that FPCCI is committed to promoting B2B linkages between the two countries.
He also underlined Sri Lanka’s significant strategic location and geographic importance in the Indian Ocean, offering immense potential for regional trade cooperation.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner Fred Siriwardena said that the Sri Lankan people had recently faced extremely difficult economic conditions, with shortages of electricity, gas, and other resources. However, he noted that the Sri Lankan President addressed public concerns and successfully secured a USD 2.9 billion grant from the IMF.
He added that the current Sri Lankan government has taken serious measures to eliminate corruption, enabling the country to move swiftly towards macroeconomic stability. The High Commissioner further revealed that Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever exports in the past six months and emphasized that the country now offers an excellent environment for business and investment, which Pakistani entrepreneurs should take advantage of it.
