Mr. V.S. Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi visited PHDEB , Regional Office, on 27th August 2008. The discussions were held on improving horticultural trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Following were present in the meeting.

1. Mr. V.S. Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka
2. Mr. Jamal Ali Hasnie, General Manager, PHDEB, RO, Karachi
3. Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman, Manager Marketing, PHDEB, RO, Karachi
4. Mr. Fletcher P. Albert, Commercial Assistant, Sri Lankan Consulate in Karachi
5. Mr. Khalid Eijaz Qureshi, Roshan Enterprises
6. Mr. Aslam Pakhali, F.A. International.
7. Mr. Imtiaz Hussain, Imtiaz Enterprises
8. Mr. Binyamin Yousaf, MDS

The Consul General of Sri Lanka briefed about the Sri Lankan Horticulture industry. The largest fruit exported from Sri Lanka is pineapple. Mr. Kumar said that Sri Lanka and Pakistan had maintained long standing, warm and cordial relations in the trade, economic, cultural, tourism and educational fields. Pakistan’ s first Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka which came in to effect from 12th June, 2005 is a milestone in further expanding and strengthening the bilateral trade relations.

He was told that Sri Lanka is the largest import market of Potatoes but imposition of time to time tariffs by Sri Lankan government render Pakistani potatoes less competitive, thus adversely impact on export from Pakistan and in turn non availability of potatoes at lower price to Sri Lankan consumers. The Pakistani exporters also urged the Consul General of Sri Lanka to allow import of Pakistani mangoes. The Consul General promised to take up the matter with his government. Mr. Aslam Pakhali informed about his first consignment of apples processed at Quetta Grading Plant and shipped to Sri Lanka with the complete assistance of Karachi Office of PHDEB.

The Consul General of Sri Lanka proposed of holding a forum in which fruits and vegetables processing company of Sri Lanka would give presentation to the traders of Pakistan. It was decided to hold the gathering after the holy month of Ramazan. Maximum participation of trading community of Pakistan will be ensured by the exporters.