🌊 SL-Pakistan to Explore Marine Tourism Partnership

• Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to explore joint efforts in developing marine and coastal tourism to strengthen the blue economy, generate employment, and foster sustainable, ocean-based growth. • The understanding was reached during discussions between SL Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake and Pakistan's Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. • Pakistan's Focus: Minister Chaudhry highlighted Pakistan's 1,000-kilometre coastline as an opportunity for harbour cruises, yachting, recreational fishing, and maritime heritage tourism, particularly in Gwadar and Karachi. • Proposed Collaboration: Collaboration will focus on enhanced marine tourism routes/packages, ferry services, coordinated marketing, and cultural exchange programs. • Sri Lanka's Roadmap: Minister Rathnayake confirmed Sri Lanka's Marine Tourism Roadmap is aimed at environmentally sustainable tourism zones and improved infrastructure in key coastal areas like Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Jaffna. • This partnership is expected to boost regional tourist flows and showcase shared maritime and cultural heritage.