Sri Lanka and China will sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Li Keqiang have decided.

During bilateral discussions yesterday Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also told his Sri Lankan counterpart China would support Sri Lanka achieve its goal of becoming a shipping, aviation and logistic hub in the Indian Ocean.

The Chinese Premier had also stressed to Sri Lanka the importance of a creating a conducive investor climate with a strong legal framework to encourage investors from around the world to invest in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe thanked his Chinese counterpart for their long-standing cooperation, friendship and support. He also briefed his Chinese counterpart on the benefits of the Hambantota Trade Zone, Colombo Financial Centre.