On Thursday, April 28, 2016, the United States and Sri Lanka adopted a joint plan to boost trade between the countries. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Sri Lanka Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama announced the deal after a meeting in Washington, D.C, under the nations’ bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

The goal of the plan is to expand trade and encourage foreign investment. The plan also focuses on promoting business in Sri Lanka. The plan aims to make Sri Lanka’s business and trade sectors more accessible to women and to promote workers’ rights and ethical practices in the work force.

The two countries aim to achieve the goals of the plan over a five year period, and they will release their proposals for implementing the plan later this year.