Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Tuesday said the signing of free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is at final stage to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. “Growth of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has not yet reached a significant height. To enhance the trade between the two countries, FTA will be inked very soon through bilateral discussion,” he said. The minister told reporters after Sri Lankan envoy Yasoja Gunasekera paid a courtesy call with him at his secretariat office. Tofail said the bilateral relation between the two South Asian countries is very well in every sector including socioeconomic and culture. “Now the two neighboring nations are working together to sign free trade agreement (FTA) and increase connectivity between the countries,” he said. The minister called upon Sri Lanka to remove all non-tariff barriers to boost export of Bangladeshi products, especially pharmaceutical items to that country. While speaking to journalists, the Sri Lankan envoy said “We can work together significantly to increase trade, investment and tourism connectivity between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We have already huge investment in this country.” The envoy also said friendly relations between the two countries would also be strengthened in future by enhancing connectivity.
