The first ever Sri Lanka – Saudi Arabia Business Council was launched on 11 November 2025 through an MoU signed between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC), in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Herath, at the FSC headquarters in Riyadh.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, and Chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, Hassan Al-Huwaizi, exchanged the MoU signed by Chairman Al-Huwaizi and the President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Keerthi Gunawardane, who participated virtually.
Chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, Hassan Al-Huwaizi, presided over the launching ceremony, with the participation of Assistant Secretary General of the FSC, Mohammed Hattan; Chairman of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council, Abdul Hadi Alqarni; Vice Chairmen, Faisal bin Fahad Al-Dakhil and Ayman Ahmed Al-Suhayan; and the Secretary to the Business Council Affairs, Shenaha A. Almuqati, representing the Federation of Saudi Chambers.
President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Keerthi Gunawardane; Secretary General, Tilan M. Wijesooriya; Board Directors of FCCISL, Dhammika Lokuge and Dharshaka Rupasinghe; as well as Assistant Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Chiranthi Pothuwewa, joined the ceremony virtually representing Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering at this historic occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, stated that the establishment of the Sri Lanka–Saudi Arabia Business Council was a fitting tribute to the longstanding economic and business relationship between the two countries, coinciding with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. Minister Herath further stated that this milestone laid the foundation to enhance private sector cooperation between the two countries, establishing a permanent bridge between the two business communities while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and Sri Lanka’s national economic revival initiatives.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, stated that the Sri Lanka–Saudi Arabia Business Council was a long-awaited initiative and the first formal B2B forum established between the two countries, which would serve as a catalyst for closer and continuous private sector interaction between the two friendly nations.
Chairman of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council, Abdul Hadi Alqarni, pledged his commitment to promote B2B cooperation in areas of mutual interest including tourism, technology, mining, manufacturing and agriculture. He also invited Saudi investors to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities.
Joining the occasion virtually, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Keerthi Gunawardane, highlighted the importance of this long-felt initiative and expressed strong interest in engaging and forging partnerships with the Saudi private sector.
The Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) is the umbrella organization of 28 chambers of commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is the only legitimate representative of the Saudi business community. Around 70 joint Saudi–foreign business councils are affiliated with the FSC, including with major global economic partners such as China, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), established in 1973, is the umbrella organization of the private sector in Sri Lanka with a nationwide membership of over 63 chambers of commerce and business associations. It is the largest and most representative apex business organization in Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
14 November 2025
