PM offers Sri Lanka to join CPEC, says trade links vital to eradicate poverty

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday invited the Sri Lankan businessmen to invest in Pakistan, saying trade connectivity among the countries of the Asian sub-continent was vital for poverty alleviation.

Addressing the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference held in Colombo which he jointly chaired with his Sri Lanka counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Imran proposed establishing trade links, as existed among the European countries, for the prosperity of the Asian sub-continent.

The PM also urged the Sri Lankan government to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying joining the Belt and Road Initiative could open up new avenues for Sri Lanka with an opportunity to establish trade links with the Central Asian states via Gwadar.

The PM, who is in Colombo on a two-day official visit, said political stability in the region by maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries would ensure a business-friendly environment.

He said Pakistan and Sri Lanka could explore the idea of generating wealth through joint business activities and diverting the wealth to alleviate poverty. Imran offered the Sri Lankan businessmen to explore the immense opportunities offered by the government of Pakistan in the form of ease-of-doing business. He said his government would welcome and facilitate investment from the island nation.

The PM mentioned that as Pakistan and Sri Lanka both suffered the brunt of terrorism in the past, their journey together towards development could make a difference. He expressed intent for Pakistan to learn from Sri Lanka’s advanced tourism industry and mentioned that he made the tourism minister part of his delegation to explore the area.

Imran said Pakistan has a lot of undiscovered sites of religious tourism, including the Gandhara civilization. He added that a recently discovered 40-feet-long Sleeping Buddha could be of special interest for Sri Lankan tourists.

In an effort to maintain good relations with neighbouring states, Imran Khan recalled his offer to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues including the Kashmir dispute. To encourage trade ties with neighbours, he said, “maintaining amiable relations and living like civilized nations must be a priority”.

Imran Khan emphasized that with 1.3 billion people, the South Asian region needed to resolve its mutual conflicts through dialogue for sustainable prosperity.

On Tuesday, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in diverse areas, including trade, investment, science and technology, and culture, as Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the Sri Lankan counterpart to become part of the CPEC.

“My visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relationship [with Sri Lanka], especially trade and economic ties through enhanced connectivity…,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said while addressing a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa after holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks.