Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to explore joint initiatives in marine and coastal tourism aimed at boosting the blue economy, creating new employment opportunities, and strengthening regional connectivity through sustainable ocean-based development.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Sri Lankan Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake and Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in Islamabad.
Minister Chaudhry emphasized that the blue economy holds immense potential for both nations, noting that nearly three billion people worldwide depend on ocean-related industries. He highlighted Pakistan’s 1,000-kilometre coastline as a vital economic asset and pointed to government efforts to promote harbour cruises, recreational fishing, yachting, and maritime heritage tourism in regions such as Gwadar and Karachi to diversify the national economy.
Proposing enhanced collaboration, the Pakistani minister suggested joint marine tourism routes or packages linking popular coastal destinations in both countries, alongside ferry services, cultural exchanges, and coordinated marketing campaigns to attract regional and international visitors.
Minister Rathnayake welcomed the proposal, noting that Sri Lanka’s Marine Tourism Roadmap aims to strengthen its coastal economy through eco-friendly tourism zones and upgraded infrastructure in areas such as Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Jaffna.
He added that a partnership with Pakistan could help expand regional visitor flows while promoting the shared marine and cultural heritage of both nations.
Both ministers agreed that closer cooperation in marine tourism could generate significant employment, advance conservation goals, and foster sustainable coastal development, marking a new chapter in Sri Lanka–Pakistan blue economy cooperation.
