US$ 2.4Bn in benefits as result of discussions with other countries: Foreign Minister

Sri Lanka is negotiating a US$ 200 million credit line from Pakistan, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris states.

Speaking to media during his visit to Jaffna on Sunday (30), the Foreign Minister stated that Sri Lanka is due to receive US $ 2.4 billion in benefits as a result of ongoing discussions with India and several other countries.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister stated that talks are underway with China for about US$ 250 million, and Sri Lanka is also in talks with several countries to get one million tons of rice before the New Year.

Meanwhile, reports claimed that Sri Lanka is negotiating the above mentioned USD 200 million credit line from Pakistan to import rice, cement and medicinal drugs.

The proposals on the credit line was discussed during Minister Bandula Gunawardana’s recent official visit to Pakistan.

Importation of goods under the credit line will be carried out by the State Trading (General) Corporation, and the Trade Ministry is due to submit the draft agreement to the Finance Ministry soon.

Once approved and signed, the Secretaries to the Ministries under whose purview the importation of these different items comes will hold discussions with the Pakistan High Commissioner on importing the items under the credit line.

The Minister added that cement, Basmathi Rice and medicines manufactured in Pakistan would be imported this year under the credit line agreement.