A mega trade expo in Colombo, the largest ever of its kind was organized by Pakistan outside the country to strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries. Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Friday inaugurated the trade expo.

The trade expo was participation of around 156 companies. The expo features leading Pakistani companies and manufacturers of traditional textiles, textile and clothing, designer wear, handicraft, carpet, engineering products, auto parts, agro products, pharmaceuticals, cutlery, furniture, carpets, marble and services.

High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General Syed Shakeel Hussain at the inauguration said that the event should work as a catalyst for synergising deeper economic relations between the two countries.

The ambassador said that Pakistan is a country of 200 million people with nearly $50 billion imports. He urged the Sri Lankan government to explore Pakistan as a market for Sri Lankan goods and services.

Sri Lanka's Minister for Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake said that importance of collaboration between Sri Lanka and Pakistan had increased tremendously in modern times for promoting cultural, civilisational and trade dialogue.