Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, chaired a meeting on Wednesday (01) with key government stakeholders at the Ministry to discuss the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) review process and the way forward.

During the meeting, the Hon. Minister inquired about the progress of the ongoing FTA review process and emphasized the importance of identifying new potential markets to strengthen trade relations and enhance economic collaboration.

Briefing the participants, the Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, provided an update on the status of the review report prepared by the Cabinet-appointed FTA Review Committee.
Further, during the meeting it was discussed an approach for way forward plan.

Minister highlighted the importance of identifying a suitable approach for entering into FTAs with partnering countries and also establishment of Technical Negotiating Teams. Further, the relevant guidance were given on the way forward.

Mr. K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, Secretary Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Additional Secretary (Research and Trade), Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Director General of Commerce, Department of Commerce, Director General, Department of Trade and Investment Policy, Additional Director General (Department of Legal Affairs), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Director General (Economic Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board also participated at the meeting.