Business leaders have expressed profound disappointment over the stark gap between Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s bilateral trade, which currently totals “mere millions” despite an estimated potential of US5 billion, prompting calls for an urgent review of declining commercial trends.
The concerns were raised during a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), where Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG), Zubair Motiwala, speaking via video link, described the current trade volume as disappointing and unreflective of the true potential between the two friendly nations, according to a KCCI statement today.
Motiwala identified specific areas of concern, noting that Ceylon Tea, once a popular choice in Pakistan, has been largely supplanted by Kenyan imports. “Unfortunately, we do not see any strong effort from Sri Lanka to revive its share in Pakistan’s tea market,” he observed, while also highlighting similar missed opportunities in coconut and coconut powder exports.
He also drew attention to a reduction in Pakistan”s textile exports to Sri Lanka, pointing out that shipments of dyed and printed fabrics, which once supported the Sri Lankan garment industry, have seen a significant decline. He urged both sides to investigate and address the reasons for this downturn.
To remedy the situation, the BMG Chairman proposed that before organizing any high-level visits, officials should conduct a detailed review of the past decade”s trade data to develop actionable strategies. He stressed the need for Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to assure the business communities that both governments are determined to strengthen economic ties.
In his address, the Consul General of Sri Lanka, P.K. Sanjeewa Pattiwila, called for looking beyond the existing trade basket to explore untapped sectors. He identified agri-based industries, seafood, spices, construction, and information technology as areas where the private sectors of both countries could thrive.
The Sri Lankan envoy acknowledged that the balance of trade currently favors Pakistan but emphasized that tremendous potential exists for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to leverage the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). “Our trade portfolio is diverse,” he stated, listing tea, coconut products, and rubber from Sri Lanka, and woven fabrics, cement, and pharmaceuticals from Pakistan.
Pattiwila described Sri Lanka”s investment climate as increasingly attractive, citing a liberalized foreign investment regime, supportive government policies, and an educated workforce. “Sri Lanka is now recognized as one of the most promising investment destinations in South Asia,” he affirmed.
To that end, the Consul General formally invited the Pakistani business community to the upcoming Economic and Investment Summit 2025, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, to be held in Colombo on December 2-3, 2025.
Highlighting the historic relationship, the envoy noted that for over seven decades, ties have been guided by mutual respect and excellent cooperation. “At every crucial juncture in history, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have stood by each other with unwavering solidarity,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan remains Sri Lanka’s second-largest trading partner in the South Asian region.
KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif welcomed the diplomat, reinforcing that the long history of friendship provides a strong foundation for deeper economic cooperation. He positioned Karachi as the “gateway for regional commerce” and noted that Pakistani investors are eager to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Hanif reaffirmed KCCI’s commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, stating, “We see tremendous potential for expanding trade in textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, logistics, tourism, ICT, and services.”