Colombo, Oct 10: A possible Free Trade Agreement with United States is likely to figure in the talks when a senior American trade representative meets Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe next week. The Deputy US trade representative Josette Sheeran Shiner will arrive here on Tuesday on a two-day visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and commerce, the US Embassy said in a statement here.

"Talks between ambassador Shiner and senior Sri Lankan officials will take place under the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)," it said. "Ambassador Shiner will also discuss with her Sri Lankan counterparts their interest in a possible Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Sri Lanka," it said.

The TIFA, signed in July 2002, is a special forum to discuss bilateral trade and investment issues.

"During the TIFA session, the United States will discuss questions about existing US FTAs, which have set high standards for comprehensive agreements." The US is Sri Lanka's largest single export market, accounting for about 40 per cent of the country's overseas sales.

Sri Lanka currently has a Free Trade Agreement with India and is in talks to finalise similar deals with Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.

Bureau Report