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  1. Negotiations

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has preferential and free trade agreements with India, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Singapore and Israel. It is currently in the processing of upgrading its agreement with India to a much more comprehensive one.

Sri Lanka is also party to SAFTA, the agreement on a South Asia Free Trade Area, as well as BIMSTEC, which aims to hammer out a regional FTA.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Sri Lankan engineers’ association

US says no quick free trade deal with Sri Lanka
12-Jan-2006 AFP
The United States warned Sri lanka against banking on a quick free trade deal to fix its economic woes and urged the island to restore peace and open its markets.
Sri Lanka, US Free Trade Pact Uncertain - Ambassador
10-Jan-2006
A free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and the U.S. isn’t a certainty and even if it does happen, it isn’t guaranteed to solve the country’s trade difficulties, the U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka said Tuesday.
Sri Lanka to focus on putting its trade basket in order this year, before venturing into new agreements
9-Aug-2005
Sri Lanka’s Commerce Department says all recently started trade negotiations will go on hold over the rest of the year, until priority commitments are sorted out.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan to implement free trade agreement from June
14-May-2005 AP
A Sri Lanka-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement will come into effect next month, Sri Lanka’s trade minister said Friday, in a deal expected to double the amount of trade between the two.
Sri Lanka, Iran sign bilateral agreements
12-Dec-2004 ColomboPage News Desk
Sri Lanka and Iran signed a preferential trade agreement and several memoranda of understanding yesterday at the Islamic Republic Mansion in Tehran, the Office of the President said.
Sri Lanka to enter into free trade agreement with Egypt
5-Nov-2004
Sri Lanka will enter into a free trade agreement with Egypt in January next year.
Merry-go round
26-Oct-2004 Lanka Business Online
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are hoping to have another go at the belated free trade agreement between the two countries in November.
Indo-Lanka economic partnership soon
2-Oct-2004 Indian Express
India and Sri Lanka are on the threshold of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Sri Lankan Minister of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said Friday.
Jeyaraj holds discussions on Sri Lanka-US trade & investment agenda
28-Jun-2004 Jeyaraj holds discussions on moving forward Sri Lanka-US trade and investment
Sri Lankan Minister of Trade and Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle concluded his four day visit to the US moving forward the bilateral trade and investment agenda.
US ready to pursue FTA with Sri Lanka
23-Jun-2004 http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/...
The United States says it is keen to pursue a trade pact with Sri Lanka and agreed to meet in October to iron out issues.