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Indians here for ETCA talks on Tuesday
View(s):Preliminary talks between India and Sri Lanka on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) will begin onTuesday with an visiting Indian delegation coming here for the purpose.
The delegation headed by the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India will hold talks with their Sri Lankan counterparts to discuss the proposed draft.
Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry Secretary Chandanie Wijewardena said these talks would set the path for the finalisation of the agreement which is expected to be signed before the end of this year.
For Sri Lanka, the seven-member negotiation committee will be headed by Saman Kelegama, adviser to the government and Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies. It will also include Sonali Wijeratne, Director General of Commerce and representatives of professional bodies and trade chambers.
However, a source familiar with the ongoing negotiations said the talks would also look into the shortcomings of the existing India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.