RIYADH: Sri Lanka and 海角直播 have established their Joint Business Council, marking a major step toward strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries while celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations.
Sri Lanka Ambassador to 海角直播 Ameer Ajwad told Arab News Thursday: 鈥淭his is a historic moment in our bilateral relations. The joint business council is launched now as we commemorate 50 years of our diplomatic relations.鈥
The first ever Sri Lanka-海角直播 Business Council was launched on Tuesday by a memorandum of understanding signed in Riyadh between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and the Federation of Saudi Chambers in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath.
The ambassador and the chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, Hassan Al-Huwaizi, exchanged the MoU co-signed by the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Keerthi Gunawardane, who participated virtually.
Chairman of the Saudi鈥揝ri Lanka Business Council Abdul Hadi Alqarni and the executive members of the Council were also present during the launch.
Herath said that the establishment of the joint business council is a fitting tribute to the longstanding economic and business relationship between the two countries, and that the historic occasion coincides with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
He added that this milestone lays the foundation to enhance private sector cooperation between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan ambassador noted that the joint business council is a long-awaited initiative and the first ever formal business-to-business forum established between the two nations, which would serve as a catalyst to enhance much-needed private sector interactions.
Alqarni pledged his commitment to promote cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest including tourism, technology, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.
He also invited Saudi investors to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities.
Gunawardane highlighted the importance of this long-felt initiative and expressed Sri Lanka鈥檚 keen interest to engage and forge partnerships with the Saudi private sector.
Earlier this week Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Sri Lankan counterpart in Riyadh. They reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Prince Faisal presented him with a postage stamp commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between 海角直播 and Sri Lanka.
