Sri Lanka reverses cess hike on kinno.

ISLAMABAD -- Sri Lanka has reversed its decision of increase in cess on the import of kinno. The move is expected. Pakistan has been a leading and steady supplier of quality mandarins to the Sri Lankan market in recent years.

Last month, Sri Lanka had suddenly imposed an increase in cess on imported mandarins from LKR30 per kg to LKR160 per kg - an increase of LKR130 - which made kinno imports from Pakistan almost four times costlier for the country.

An official statement by the Ministry of Commerce termed the decision a positive development which will further promote and enhance bilateral trade. Although the tax was imposed on all imported kinno/mandarins, the move particularly affected Pakistan as the citrus cultivar is a concessional item under the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement...