SL should join India, China to reap benefits of trade arrangements: PM

29 June 2018 03:17 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today Sri Lanka should join India, China and other countries to reap the benefits of trade arrangements such as, the Belt and Road initiative and Asia- Africa trade corridor initiative.

He said this at the Dr. Saman Kelegama Memorial Conference held in Colombo.

“Regardless of what the newspapers say, the leaders are having discussions on their own to ensure there is no rivalry. We have the interests of the Europeans in this region. Britain after leaving the European Union is showing interest in our region. The US talks of Indo-Pacific trade but what is happening with the US is a question with the tariff that has been imposed both in Europe and in Africa. However we are seeing this region taking an initiative in having its own trade region outside Japan, India and China. First is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership which has some more rounds of negotiations with India raising issues. However, that will be over. We have to join India, China and others, we cannot be left behind,” he said.

“You can be against the FTA with China and against other agreements. Without them where will we go then? We have to plan and take all the development into account. This will no longer be a small island. There are those whose mindsets are governed by Laski and Fabish who think small. We are thinking of a big nation. Fortunately we are not guided by those who follow Laski and Fabish but by the policies of King Parakrama Bahu,” he said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 13

Saman Friday, 29 June 2018 05:01 PM

To have a trade agreements first we need to have a economy that based on production. We don't have many things other than Tea and garments. So these agreements only benefited by other party and politicians like Ranilwho can get handsome commissions.

Arnold Friday, 29 June 2018 05:55 PM

Ranil has no use of commissions, as he has no children.

BIG Talk Friday, 29 June 2018 05:19 PM

What do we manufacture in Sri Lanka to export except few things ? Your BiG talk is enough

SHA Friday, 29 June 2018 07:15 PM

We can export RW

giabao Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:54 PM

why ? Moneragala Maggi akka's bandakka are there to export.

Premalal Friday, 29 June 2018 05:24 PM

Why do we need a Prime minister of our own if have to hang on the coat tails of some other nation to achieve our potential? R.W should study Lee Kwan Yu if he has anything of value in between his ears. We might well have been under the British.

Payphone Friday, 29 June 2018 05:46 PM

Great pointing out Ranil! We need to think about the bigger picture if we are to develop, Singapore, hongkong, swiss and Dubai has thought this through. We need policies which will protect our national assets via PPPs. Ex:- hambanthota deal was great.

Ahmed Friday, 29 June 2018 07:18 PM

i am fedup of his big talks. only talks no action

Tariq Saturday, 30 June 2018 01:58 PM

RW fits NATO (NO ACTION TALK ONLY)

sach Friday, 29 June 2018 07:33 PM

The only economy he knows is signing agreements...

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 30 June 2018 11:02 AM

Also developed countries have trade agreements with China. But they do not allow China to send them rubbish.

sri Saturday, 30 June 2018 04:07 PM

If the gov really concerns about the citizen don't import such as electrical and electronic items from china.

akalankadayananda Sunday, 01 July 2018 11:36 AM

Previous agreements with India brought nothing to SL but problems ; all beneficial to India. Arrange a public debate if you are fearless

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SL should join India, China to reap benefits of trade arrangements: PM

Comments - 13

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