Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, held discussions with Secretary General of the Abha Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Misfer A. Al-Wadai, to explore avenues for strengthening commercial and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Aseer Region.

During the meeting, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad briefed the Secretary General on the growing private-sector engagement between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, including the recent establishment of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council. He highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the private sectors of Sri Lanka and the Aseer Region, particularly in the tourism, hospitality, industrial and human resources sectors, in view of the rapid development of the tourism industry in the Aseer Region. He further highlighted the potential for Sri Lankan expertise, products and services to contribute to the region’s expanding tourism and hospitality sector.

Ambassador Ameer Ajwad also shared details of forthcoming key economic events in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lanka Investment Forum, scheduled to be held in Colombo from 12–13 October 2026, and invited the business community of the Aseer Region to participate and explore investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka. He also invited the Aseer business community to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, scheduled to be held in Colombo from 14 to 17 January 2027, providing a platform to showcase Sri Lankan products, services and investment opportunities. The Secretary General undertook to circulate the details among the Chamber’s membership.

The discussion also focused on opportunities for the employment of skilled and semi-skilled Sri Lankan workers in the tourism, hospitality and related sectors in the Kingdom, in view of Sri Lanka’s strong human resource base and the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in this area.

The possibility of organising a Sri Lanka–Aseer Business Forum at the Abha Chamber of Commerce was also discussed, with a view to strengthening business-to-business linkages, facilitating partnerships and exploring new avenues for trade and investment cooperation.

The meeting formed part of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to engage with regional business communities and promote trade, investment, tourism and private-sector partnerships between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh

22 August 2026