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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Bharatha Mallawarachi

Sri Lanka to fast-track trade pact with Thailand amid crisis

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Debt-stricken Sri Lanka is fast-tracking efforts to seal a stalled trade pact with Thailand in order to boost trade and tourism, and improve the foreign currency shortage that has led to its worst economic crisis, a government minister said on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka began talks with Thailand on a free trade agreement in 2016, held two rounds of discussions in 2018, and the latest last month. But government spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said there's been a “huge delay” and Sri Lanka is now determined to sign the agreement before the end of March.

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