Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan, Priyangika Wijegunasekara engaged in discussions with the Chairman of the Irbid Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Al-Shuha on enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and Jordan. The meeting was held on 07 October 2024.
Ambassador Wijegunasekara expressed her willingness to expand the scope of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, noting that Sri Lanka has multiple economic resources and capabilities that can form the basis for a broader economic cooperation with Jordan.
Further, the Ambassador pointed out that Jordan is the 27th export destination for Sri Lankan products. Moreover, bilateral trade balance between the two countries has been in favor of Sri Lanka for the last five years, as the value of exports to Jordan amounted to $88 million in 2023, while imports from Jordan to Sri Lanka amounted to $1.98 million. Sri Lankan exports to Jordan increased last year by 45% compared to 2022, while imports from Jordan decreased by 42% during the same period, she added. She further highlighted that Sri Lanka is famous for growing and manufacturing tea, rubber, coconut, spices, precious stones, and edible and ornamental fish, and that Ceylon tea is one of the top exports to Jordan.
Ambassador Wijegunasekara also emphasized the potential to further enhance bilateral partnership in the textile and clothing sector, with approximately 10,500 Sri Lankan employees already employed in the textile and clothing sector of Jordan.
Recalling the expansion of Sri Lanka-Jordan relations since the signing of the trade agreement in 1965, the Ambassador invited Jordanian businessmen to visit Sri Lanka and explore investment opportunities available in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing industries, and logistics services.
Chairman Al-Shuha stressed the importance of supporting cooperation between the two countries by increasing the volume of trade exchange in different fields and exploring new investment opportunities that benefit both sides. The Chairman also expressed the readiness of the Chamber of Commerce to facilitate trade exchange, and to develop the existing trade relations.
The meeting was attended by board members and other office bearers of the Chamber, and officials of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Amman
09 October 2024
