Sri Lanka and Thailand could sign a free trade agreement (FTA) by March, a top official of the Indian Ocean nation told Reuters on Wednesday, as it attempts to rebuild its crisis-stricken economy.
The two nations restarted deal negotiations in January, months after a severe financial crisis engulfed Sri Lanka, as its foreign exchange reserves fell to a record low.
"Both sides are enthusiastic and there is strong political will," Sri Lanka's chief FTA negotiator, K.J. Weerasinghe, told Reuters.
"There will be several more rounds of talks, but I am confident we can conclude the agreement for signature by March 2024."
A Thai delegation is expected to visit Colombo from June 26 to 28 for the next round of talks, covering goods, customs cooperation, investment, dispute settlement and services, he added.
Two-way trade was about $460 million in 2021, Sri Lankan central bank data shows. Sri Lanka exports mainly tea and precious stones to Thailand, from which it imports electronic equipment, food, rubber, plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Source : REUTERS
June 19, 2023
