Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan is keen to follow the goal of increasing bilateral trade volume with Sri Lanka.

Talking to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner Major General (retired) Jayanath Lokuketagodage in Islamabad, the Finance Minister said that both countries could jointly work to achieve this objective, Pakistani media reported.

The High Commissioner said that Sri Lanka strongly desired to expand its economic cooperation with countries in the region, especially Pakistan. He said it would be his endeavour to further promote Pak-Sri Lanka contacts.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad Saturday and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation. 

He was accompanied by Ms Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Minister and Head of Chancery of the High Commission of Sri Lanka. Jayanath Lokuketagodage said he was pleased to assume responsibilities as High Commissioner to Pakistan.

He said Sri Lanka strongly desired to expand its economic cooperation with countries in the region, especially Pakistan and it would be his endeavour to further build up Pak-Sri Lanka contacts. 

The Pakistani Finance Minister while welcoming the Sri Lankan High Commissioner said that all possible support would be extended to him for fortifying Pak-Sri Lanka ties in different fields particularly in economic sphere. 

The Minister referred to his meetings with his Sri Lankan counterpart recently in Beijing and Davos and added they shared views on advancement of bilateral economic cooperation.

The Sri Lankan Envoy on the occasion also mentioned about the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Sri Lanka which ushered new era of cooperation. 

Minister Dar said that Pakistan was keen to follow the goal of increasing bilateral trade volume with Sri Lanka and that both countries could jointly work to achieve this objective.

-Agencies