COLOMBO: The 13th Session of the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was successfully held on 28 January 2026 in Colombo, reaffirming the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between the Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by H.E Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by H.E Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industries and Production. At the conclusion of the JEC, the Agreed Minutes were signed by both Co-Chairs, formalizing cooperation across multiple sectors.
In the IT and digital economy, both sides agreed in principle to establish a Joint Working Group on IT and telecommunications, cooperate in emerging technologies, and support each other in international digital and telecommunications fora.
In the area of industrial cooperation, the two sides discussed expanding trade in chemicals, polymers, engineering goods, glassware, surgical instruments, and pharmaceuticals. Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities in designated pharmaceutical manufacturing zones. Both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in Export Processing Zones and strengthen cooperation in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector through their respective development agencies.
The Commission made substantial progress in agriculture and livestock cooperation, agreeing to collaborate on meat exports, livestock farming, seed certification, sanitary and phytosanitary harmonization, pest risk analysis, and capacity building. Notable progress was made toward finalizing procedures for the export of Sri Lankan pineapples and avocados to Pakistan. Both sides also discussed electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto), blockchain-based seed traceability systems, and expanded trade in agro-commodities such as rice, sesame, and onions.
In the field of education, both sides agreed to promote academic and research cooperation between higher education institutions, facilitate faculty and student exchanges, share best practices in accreditation and quality assurance, and encourage Pakistan as a higher education destination for Sri Lankan students. The establishment of a Joint Working Group on Education and Science was proposed, alongside the finalization and renewal of several Memoranda of Understanding between key institutions.
Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation was reinforced through the effective implementation of the existing bilateral MoU. Both countries agreed to pursue joint research initiatives in advanced materials, biotechnology, climate change mitigation, and emerging technologies, including collaborative research projects, student exchanges, and co-authored publications.
In the health sector, both sides agreed to enhance collaboration through joint research, academic exchanges, regulatory cooperation on therapeutic goods, and capacity building. A proposal was made to establish technical working mechanisms for regulatory harmonization, fast-track registration of essential medicines, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, epidemiological surveillance, and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks.
In the areas of maritime cooperation, Pakistan offered technical expertise, training, and industrial collaboration through its shipbuilding institutions. Both sides explored opportunities for enhanced maritime connectivity, including transshipment cooperation, port collaboration at Karachi and Gwadar, direct shipping routes, logistics integration, and maritime training programs.
During the JEC, commerce secretary–level talks also reviewed the progress of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA). The discussions were led by Mr. Jawad Paul, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, and Mr. K. A. Vimalenthirarajah, Secretary of Trade and Commerce of Sri Lanka. Both sides, along with their respective delegations, assessed the current implementation of PSFTA and identified practical measures to further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
On the sidelines of the JEC, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan held several bilateral discussions with key members of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, including H.E Sunil Handunneththi, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, H.E Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment, and H.E Dr Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media underlining cooperation across industry, labor & employment and Health sectors.
Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the Thirteenth Session and reaffirmed their commitment to regular engagement and effective implementation of agreed initiatives. It was mutually agreed that the Fourteenth Session of the Joint Economic Commission would be held in Islamabad on dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.
