Free trade agreement with Sri Lanka soon, says Minister Tofail

Bangladesh will ‘soon’ sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka to reduce trade barriers, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has said.

All formalities have been completed, the minister told reporters after meeting Sri Lankan High Commissioner Yasoja Gunasekera on Tuesday. 
 
He, however, said ‘some complications’ export duty.
 
“We have proposed to reduce the duty on export from 13.5 to 5 percent in order to boost the trade between the two countries,” he said.
 
Ahmed said the two countries were discussing to solve the problems in trade.
 
Bangladesh exports to Sri Lanka touched 26.8 million in 2014-15 fiscal year against imports worth $66.65 million.
 
The commerce minister said the $39.84 million trade deficit with Sri Lanka would wither away once the problems were solved.
 
He emphasised connectivity between the two countries in order to boost trade.
 
“Sri Lankan flights are coming every week. Bangladesh will also set up air link with Sri Lanka. Sea routes will also be opened.”
 
The demand of Bangladesh fish and medicine in Sri Lanka is very high, according to Ahmed. 
 
“But there are also problems. The two countries have agreed to solve these,” he added.