“The FTA between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has opened many avenues for trade and investment but the quantum of bilateral trade is still too low although the desire was to enhance it over the billion dollar threshold.” This was stated by Majyd Aziz, Founder Chairman of Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum while speaking at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Herbal Cosmetic Products Expo recently.

Majyd Aziz who is also the ex President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, informed that this exhibition could be described as ‘reverse marketing’ since the emphasis is to introduce the excellent Sri Lankan products in Pakistan. He said that the next such Expo would be held in Islamabad where over 700 beauticians would be invited while more Sri Lankan cosmetics producers would participate and exhibit their products.

Majyd Aziz further added that Pakistan has abundant resources of herbs and natural products and needs technical know-how as well as latest machinery to develop this industry. He disclosed that he has already conveyed this to the Chinese diplomats and requested them to set up such plants as joint ventures in the NWFP and even in the urban areas. He said that these plants could also be set up in the upcoming Reconstruction Opportunities Zones so that the final products could be exported to USA duty free.

Majyd Aziz also added that the PSLBF has the honor of being the only bilateral Forum to have played host to two Presidents of the country. He said that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and President Mahinda Rajapakse were honored guests at PSLBF functions in Pakistan. He also added that he has been instrumental in the signing of MOUs between SITE Association of Industry and Free Trade Zones Association of Sri Lanka at the Governor House Karachi, between PSLBF and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Islamabad, and between KCCI and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka in Bangkok.

Majyd Aziz praised the efforts of Sri Lankan Consul General V. S. Sidath Kumar and the Executive Committee of PSLBF for organizing this effort and hoped that the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo would arrange such ventures too. He also informed that the Forum would soon invite leading Sri Lankan cricketers to meet budding Pakistani young cricket players and impart to them training in this sport.

The Expo was attended by a large number of leading beauticians of Karachi and the spouses of Consul Generals. It was inaugurated by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri while speeches were given by Rauf Tabani, President PSLBF, Farukh Mazhar, Secretary General PSLBF, Ruhana Iqbal, President PHABA and the representatives of the Sri Lankan companies. The Sri Lankan Consul General also hosted a lunch for the guests.

Presented for favorable publication in your esteemed publication

Sunita Ghouri