Sunday Times 2
Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia Business Council launched
View(s):The first ever Sri Lanka – Saudi Arabia Business Council was launched on November 11 by an MoU signed between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, at the FSC headquarters in Riyadh.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad and Chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Hassan Al-Huwaizi exchanged the MoU signed by the FSC Chairman Al-Huwaizi and the President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Keerthi Gunawardane who participated virtually. Chairman of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council Abdul Hadi Alqarni and the Executive Members of the Council were also present during the launch.
Addressing the gathering Minister Herath stated that the establishment of the Sri Lanka-Saudi Business Council is a fitting tribute to the longstanding economic and business relationship between the two countries, and that this historic occasion is also coinciding with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
Minister Herath added that this milestone lays the foundation to enhance private sector cooperation between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, establishing a permanent bridge between the two business communities while aligning closely with Saudi Vision 2030 and Sri Lanka’s national economic revival initiatives.
Ambassador Ajwad said that the Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia Business Council is a long-awaited initiative and the first ever formal B2B forum established between the two countries which would serve as a catalyst to enhance much needed closer and constant private sector interactions between the two friendly countries.
Chairman of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council Abdul Hadi Alqarni pledged his commitment to promote B2B cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest including tourism, technology, mining, manufacturing, agriculture. He also invited Saudi investors to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities.
Joining the occasion virtually, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Keerthi Gunawardane highlighted the importance of this initiative and expressed their keen interest to engage and forge partnerships with the Saudi private sector.
The Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) is an umbrella organisation of 28 chambers of commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is the only legitimate representative of the Saudi business community.
Around 70 joint Saudi-foreign Business Councils have been affiliated with the FSC including with major global economic players such as China, the US, Japan, and the UK, as well as South Korea, Bahrain, and the UAE.