After the successful organization of the catalog exhibition that opened new avenues of cooperation between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka, efforts are underway to invite Sri Lankan businesswomen to the Kingdom. Mustafa A.K. Sabri, Secretary General of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), and Sri Lankan Consul General Abdulatiff Mohammed Lafeer this week discussed ways to support trade and investment relations between the two countries and the necessary arrangements for the visit of a delegation of businesswomen. Both sides discussed the outcome of the catalog exhibition and road show, in addition to the investment opportunities available to entrepreneurs in both countries. Sabri said that communication over the past few days with the authorities in Sri Lanka showed their desire to access the Saudi and the Middle East markets. He pointed out that the volume of bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka is close to SR5 billion. Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are major markets for tea from Sri Lanka. The trade ties between the two countries are expected to grow substantially in the coming period with an increase in travelers from the Gulf to Sri Lanka. Sabri noted that the catalog exhibition was the culmination of efforts to increase the trade exchange between the two countries; the JCCI received an official invitation from Sri Lanka for the visit of Saudi businessmen to Colombo to see the trade opportunities and to enjoy the country's natural beauty.
