Addressing the BIMSTEC session on Bilateral Trade, Tourism and Investment which was held in Nepal last week, the State Minister said the total trade between Sri Lanka and Nepal stands at US$ 2.27 million as of July 2018 and was US$ 1.78 million in 2017.“This needs our close attention. We need to increase it by many-folds, perhaps not by 10 times but by 100 times in the years to come.

In terms of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, the potential for greater trade linkages are yet to be touched and can be further increased through the SAARC, South Asian Free Trade Area and Asia Cooperation Dialogue,” he said.he said the connectivity between the main commercial cities of the two countries is vital for trade and economic cooperation. “We need to consider re-starting of direct flights between the two countries. In this regard, we need to consider all possible options at the technical level. Presently, Srilankan Airlines operates flights to 105 destinations of 45 countries around the world and out of 105, 40 are operated as direct air connectivity and rest as a member of One World Organisation. We invite the Nepalese to use Sri Lanka as a transit point to be connected to the rest of the world,” he stressed.

The State Minister said that the Air Services Agreement signed in 2009 would be helpful to strengthen bilateral trade and tourism between the two countries. “I believe regular interactions including bilateral consultation and visits of dignitaries would be helpful for us to build strong and long-lasting trade and economic relations between the two countries,” he said. Commenting on the tourism sector of the two nations, the State Minister said that there was a great opportunity to strengthen tourism among the pilgrims.