Pakistan hopes for stronger relations with Sri Lanka

Pakistan said on Monday it hoped for stronger relations with Sri Lanka as

both countries had achieved development, progress and prosperity over the last

70 years through mutual cooperation.

Speaking at an event to mark Pakistan's 70th anniversary of independence,

Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra said

it was a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan and Sri Lanka continued to

maintain their traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations in all

fields.

"The process of bilateral cooperation has been greatly assisted by ever

increasing multifaceted interaction both at the level of people and leaders of

our two countries," Sipra said.

He lauded that the two countries had achieved development, progress and

prosperity over the last 70 years through mutual cooperation and expressed the

hope that it would continue in the years to come.

According to statistics, in 2015 to 2016 Pakistan exported goods worth

approximately 247.145 million U.S. dollars to Sri Lanka as compared with 266.908

million dollars in 2014 to 2015.

Sri Lanka's exports to Pakistan stood at 74.585 million dollars in 2015 to

2016 as compared to 57.801 million dollars in 2014 to 2015.

Top Sri Lankan exports to Pakistan include vegetable products, rubber,

fibreboard and coconut products while Pakistan imports have included cotton

products, cement, refined sugar and potatoes.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)