Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Karachi, P.K. Sanjeewa Pattiwila, has called for a more proactive approach to Pakistan-Sri Lanka trade, noting that bilateral commerce remains below potential despite the 2005 free trade agreement and duty-free market access for both countries.

Addressing a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), he urged both sides to remove technical barriers, review restrictive measures and strengthen business-to-business engagement to create new trade opportunities. “We must proactively pursue markets and break down barriers to unlock the true potential of bilateral trade,” he said.

The Consul General highlighted the trade imbalance between the two countries, noting that Pakistan exports around US$450 million worth of goods to Sri Lanka, compared to Sri Lanka’s exports of approximately US$90 million. He said there was considerable scope to diversify exports in both directions and expand cooperation across various sectors.

Pattiwila noted that technical barriers and additional taxes continued to affect market access despite the existing trade framework. He assured the business community of his support in facilitating trade and resolving issues faced by exporters and importers.

KCCI President Talat Mahmood reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening commercial ties with Sri Lanka and enhancing bilateral exports. He emphasized the need for greater business-to-business interaction and better utilization of existing trade arrangements.

He identified pharmaceuticals, textiles, rubber products, plastics, engineering goods, surgical instruments and food processing as promising areas for joint ventures and trade expansion, urging businesses from both countries to convert opportunities into tangible commercial outcomes.