Pakistan PM for deeper economic ties with Sri Lanka

Eyeing deeper economic ties with Sri Lanka, Pakistan today stressed the need for the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.
This was conveyed by both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during their interactions with Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.
Sharif said a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will help broaden economic and commercial relations by including the key elements of investment, services, customs cooperation and standardisation.
He said the current volume of trade between the two countries, despite the Free Trade Agreement of 2002, did not reflect the true potential, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Sharif said enhancing economic cooperation which would add to the progress and prosperity of both countries.
"This, in turn would ensure regional security and stability, fundamental for fighting poverty and promoting economic growth and development. Therefore there was a need to renew efforts to realise the goal of achieving USD 2 billion bilateral trade," the statement said.
Sharif said security and stability in the neighbourhood was his government's prime objective and he considered Sri Lanka a key partner in this.