RIYADH: Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad said that the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is expanding following the establishment of a Joint Business Council.

Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia established their Joint Business Council last month, marking a major step toward strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries while celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations.

The ambassador told Arab News Tuesday: “Sri Lanka’s exports to the Kingdom recorded a double-digit increase of 19 percent from January to September 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year.”

He added that total bilateral trade expanded by 9 percent, noting that these figures clearly demonstrate the growing complementarities between the two economies.

The ambassador also expressed hope that the recent establishment of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Business Council would be “a game-changer, serving as a vital platform for structured dialogue, trade facilitation, investment promotion, and closer collaboration between the private sectors of both countries.”

Ajwad recently launched Ceylon Biscuits Co. products at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh. 

Sri Lanka’s CBL Group, in collaboration with Aamalcom Trading Ltd of Saudi Arabia, brings CBL’s popular range of biscuits, chocolates, confectioneries, and snacks to Saudi consumers.

Launching the CBL products, the ambassador pointed out that the partnership marks a strategic milestone and is expected to enhance the visibility of Sri Lankan products in the Kingdom, creating new avenues for commercial collaboration. 

He also underscored that this initiative reflects the growing confidence of Saudi partners in Sri Lanka’s industrial and commercial capabilities, and noted that the CBL–Amalcom collaboration is expected to contribute to a further increase in Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia in the days ahead.