The Sri Lanka Pakistan Free Trade Agreement is to be strengthened for increased business between the two countries.

According to the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2002 at Islamabad, started progressing in 2005 between the two countries and has been a favourable one with the increase of exports.

The FTA was signed to enhance both countries business, and exports between the two countries, is to be strengthened by tax reduction or tax free exports and imports.

A discussion was initiated on difficulties and opportunities of the Pakistan market which according to the Pakistan official has good potential.

Sri Lanka now sees this as a opportunity to further expand exports so the impact of losing GSP plus will not highly affect the market, since exporters are forced to look to new markets, as an alternative.

According to an Exporter "We have neglected Pakistan and India as an export market for some time,

"The two countries are a valuable market, as the reports show some of our exports to India have increased by 50 percent in comparison with last year

At the meeting Ms. Mariam Saeed the third secretary (political and commercial) highlighted, business opportunities which Pakistan would encourage for their countries development.

Agriculture, Automobiles, Services, and many more were needed in Pakistan according to Ms. Saeed.

She added "We do not want both countries to face difficulties doing business by exporting and importing the same products which the two countries are manufacturing,

"There are barriers and taxes to protect such sort of business, enabling both countries to develop their own markets in the world"

"As an example Sri Lankan Tea which was the largest exporter to Pakistan lost the challenge from Kenyan tea which was low in price and stronger with a suitable taste for the market"

"We also face difficulties in our exports to Sri Lanka even in the best of some products; some of our products are not imported,