SL Embassy holds discussions with Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Council

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia Azmi Thassim called on Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) in Riyadh Secretary-General Dr. Saud A. Almashari last week, to discuss the possibilities of expanding the trade relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. 

Discussions between the two parties focused on strategies related to expanding business-to-business contacts between the Sri Lankan and Saudi businesses, which include trade delegation visits and facilitation of visas for the businesses persons. The Ambassador recalled that the last trade delegation organised by the CSCCI visited Sri Lanka in December 2017 and emphasised that a similar visit needs to be organised in the near future. 

Dr. Saud Almashari concurred with this idea and said that a visit from the Saudi SME sector would be more productive at this juncture. He also assured that necessary steps will be taken to organise the visit as soon as possible. The two parties also discussed the importance of establishing a ‘Saudi-Sri Lanka Business Council’ and agreed to take initial steps in the formation of this Council. 

The CSCCI is the official federation for the 28 Saudi Chambers. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and CSCCI signed an MOU in December 2017 on expanding bilateral business cooperation. Sri Lanka›s main exports to KSA last year were tea, apparel, bananas, desiccated coconut, and fish. The total trade between the two countries was around $ 328 million in 2018. 

The Ambassador was accompanied by Minister Counsellor (Commercial) Sanjeewa Pattiwila and the Embassy’s Desk Officer/Bilateral A.L.M Jabeer.