SLPBC to boost bilateral trade

The Sri Lanka Pakistan Buisness Council (SLPBC) will continue to work closely with the Pakistan High Commission to enhance bilateral trade and act as a technical committee to resolve issues, said SLPBC President Rohitha Thilakaratne.

He invited all stakeholders of the trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan to obtain membership in the Council to broaden the horizon of SLPBC and called upon the membership to actively participate in trade activities to exploit trade opportunities and to show Sri Lanka's gesture towards Pakistan and its people.

The Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council held its 19th Annual General Meeting recently. The Council was set up in 1991 under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to promote trade, investment, tourism and services between the two countries.

According to the Government of Pakistan, despite numerous challenges the country remained focused on maintaining macroeconomic stability, growth, mobilising domestic resources and increasing exports, balanced regional development.

The High Commission is engaged in enhancing awareness among the business communities of the two countries to increase bilateral trade and take full advantage of the institutional mechanisms signed by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Merchant Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Managing Director, Rohitha Thilakaratne was elected SLPBC President for 2012-2013. The two Vice Presidents are Sega Nagendra of CML-MTD Construction Ltd and Ms. Zahara Cader of Tallman Tours Ltd.

Akbar Brothers Ltd., Eswaran Brothers Exports (Pvt) Ltd., Expolanka (Pvt) Ltd., Habib Bank Ltd., Hatton National Bank PLC and M. A. Razak and Co. Ltd were elected to the Executive Committee.