OUR STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD - The 10th session of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission started on Monday to review the bilateral trade between the two countries, which at present is $ 338 million. The Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission meeting is being held in Islamabad on July 4 and July 5th. An eleven-member delegation led by Rishad Bathiudeen, Sri Lankan Minister for Industries and Commerce, is visiting Pakistan to participate in the 10th session. Minister of State for Economic Affiars, Hina Rabbani Khar, leads the Pakistan side. The Joint Economic Commission between the two countries was established in 1974 and is co-chaired by the Minister for Economic Affairs from Pakistan and Minister for Industries & Commerce from Sri Lanka. The previous session of JEC was held on May 12, 13, 2005 in Colombo. The current session of the JEC will focus to review the progress on the decisions arrived at in the last session held at Colombo and to improve the economic and commercial ties between the two countries in accordance with the agenda set for the session. The agenda for the current session was agreed upon between the two countries in a joint meeting held in Colombo on March 21, 22, 2011. The salient features of the ongoing talks during 10th session of JEC included, to review the bilateral trade between the two countries that at present is to the tune of $338 million, discuss sectoral alliances on Pakistan trade bodies with Sri Lankan counterparts, explore the possibility of exchange of traders/businessmen delegations and revisit the prevailing tariff structure between the two countries. Islamabad and Colombo would also discuss issues relating to specific items like tariff on Beatle leaves, export of Coconut oil and Copra, quota for Basmati rice by SL, access for Pakistani mangoes and packed paper tissues along with tariff issues on some agriculture products in Pakistan will also be discussed. Similarly, the two sides would also negotiate on the details of $ 200 million credit facility offered by Government of Pakistan during the visit of President Zardari to Sri-Lanka in November 2010. According to the agenda, both the countries would also discuss the offer of services and expertise of Heavy Mechanical Complex on part of Government of Pakistan in the establishment of sugar and cement plant, grinding and packing plant in Sri Lanka for utilization of the aforesaid credit line, extend expertise of Pakistan Engineering Company and State Engineering Corporation to Sri Lankan government in a number of fields. Pakistan will seek the assistance of Sri Lanka in the field of training the nursing staff in cardiology, neurology and psychiatry. Pakistan and Sri Lanka would also discuss the MoU signed between the two countries in the field of Agriculture Cooperation on 28-11-2010 in order to strengthen collaboration in agriculture, food processing and fisheries. The leader of the Joint Ministerial Commission is also scheduled to hold a number of sideline meetings with Minister for Industries, Minister for Commerce and Trade and President of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The session will conclude on 5th July, 2011 and a joint communiqu will be issued thereafter.