Dhaka, Colombo discussing possibilities of signing FTA

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are discussing a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to benefit both the countries, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Yasoja Gunasekara said yesterday.   
“Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed recently informed media that a FTA is being discussed between the two countries. The relevant authorities of both the countries are currently in the process of studying the feasibility of such an agreement framework that would be mutually beneficial,” she told a programme styled ‘DCAB Talk’ organised by Diplomatic Correspondent Association, Bangladesh at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
“There is significant trade taking place between the two countries but the trade is way below the potential,” said the envoy at the discussion, flanked by DCAB President Masud Karim and General Secretary Bashir Ahmed.
To a question, she said that the bilateral trade between the two countries nowstands at $150 million, being in favour of Sri Lanka, as Bangladesh imports goods worth $105 million while exports total $45 million. “The balance of trade is $60 million in favour of Sri Lanka,” she added.
High Commissioner Gunasekara urged Bangladeshi investors to invest in various sectors in her country including export oriented manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure projects, pharmaceuticals, skilled development and agro-based products. Laying emphasis on connectivity between the two countries, she said, “The easier it is to travel between the two countries, the easier it will be to trade with each other, engage in tourism including MICE  tourism and to begin to understand how similar we are. Connectivity is an essential building block in deepening a relationship between two peoples and two countries.”
Gunasekara also said that the two countries are looking at the potential for maritime connectivity, including linkages between ports in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Referring to Sri Lanka’s military victory over terrorism after the 30-year war with the separatists, she said that her country has started taking important steps towards achieving meaningful reconciliation, strengthening democratic institutions, good governance, rule of law and confidence building measures among communities affected by the conflict.
Mentioning the formation of a national unity government, the envoy said that it is essential to obtain the bipartisan consensus necessary to face important challenges before Sri Lanka, including reconciliation and peace building.
To another question, she said that Sri Lanka is a friend of China, India and other countries.

Dhaka, Colombo discussing possibilities of signing FTA

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are discussing a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to benefit both the countries, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Yasoja Gunasekara said yesterday. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed recently informed media that a FTA is being discussed between the two countries. The relevant authorities of both the countries are currently in the process of studying the feasibility of such an agreement framework that would be mutually beneficial, she told a programme styled DCAB Talk organised by Diplomatic Correspondent Association, Bangladesh at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital. There is significant trade taking place between the two countries but the trade is way below the potential, said the envoy at the discussion, flanked by DCAB President Masud Karim and General Secretary Bashir Ahmed. To a question, she said that the bilateral trade between the two countries nowstands at $150 million, being in favour of Sri Lanka, as Bangladesh imports goods worth $105 million while exports total $45 million. The balance of trade is $60 million in favour of Sri Lanka, she added. High Commissioner Gunasekara urged Bangladeshi investors to invest in various sectors in her country including export oriented manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure projects, pharmaceuticals, skilled development and agro-based products. Laying emphasis on connectivity between the two countries, she said, The easier it is to travel between the two countries, the easier it will be to trade with each other, engage in tourism including MICE tourism and to begin to understand how similar we are. Connectivity is an essential building block in deepening a relationship between two peoples and two countries. Gunasekara also said that the two countries are looking at the potential for maritime connectivity, including linkages between ports in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Referring to Sri Lankas military victory over terrorism after the 30-year war with the separatists, she said that her country has started taking important steps towards achieving meaningful reconciliation, strengthening democratic institutions, good governance, rule of law and confidence building measures among communities affected by the conflict. Mentioning the formation of a national unity government, the envoy said that it is essential to obtain the bipartisan consensus necessary to face important challenges before Sri Lanka, including reconciliation and peace building. To another question, she said that Sri Lanka is a friend of China, India and other countries.