Sri Lanka & Pakistan Strengthen Economic Ties at 13th JEC 📈

Sri Lanka and Pakistan concluded the 13th session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) on January 28, 2026, in Colombo. The talks, led by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe and Pakistan’s Haroon Akhtar Khan, focused on deepening bilateral trade beyond traditional commodities. • Strategic Initiatives A key outcome was the establishment of a Joint Working Group on ICT/BPM and Digital Economy to collaborate on emerging technologies. Both nations also committed to streamlining the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost trade volumes, which experts suggest have a potential of US$ 5.00 Bn. • Sector Breakdowns Pharmaceuticals: Sri Lanka invited Pakistani firms to invest in designated manufacturing zones to strengthen local supply chains. Agriculture: Finalized export procedures for Sri Lankan pineapple and avocado to Pakistan; progress made on meat and seed trade. Industries: Focus on chemicals, polymers, glassware, and surgical instruments. SMEs: Agreement to enhance collaboration between development agencies to drive employment. • Logistics & Maritime Discussions included potential partnerships between the Karachi, Gwadar, and Sri Lankan ports. Pakistan further offered support in shipbuilding and maritime training. _Source: Based on official session outcomes and provisional data from Jan 29, 2026._