Officials from Jordan and Sri Lanka discuss ways to boost economic ties

Nabil Khatib, the vice president of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, met the Sri Lankan ambassador to Jordan, Priyangika Wijegunasekera in the Jordanian capital on Monday to discuss ways in which economic ties between their countries might be enhanced.

Specific topics and ideas for achieving this included increased visits by economic delegations; organizing exhibitions; arranging bilateral meetings between Jordanian and Sri Lankan entrepreneurs; and broadening the range of goods that are traded, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Khatib emphasized the importance of encouraging the private sectors in both countries to collaborate in sectors such as commerce, tourism and investment. He also highlighted the importance of support for existing opportunities for cooperation in the tourism sector, including new ways in which to promote tourism by helping to forge connections between travel companies in both countries.

In addition, he suggested a memorandum of understanding be signed by the Amman Chamber of Commerce and its Sri Lankan counterpart as a first step toward strengthening cooperation in several areas.

Khatib said he was happy to host a trade delegation of Sri Lankan businessmen to help them explore opportunities in Jordan, become acquainted with the economic landscape in the country, and learn more about positive developments in the national economy.

Wijegunasekera acknowledged the evolving commercial, investment and diplomatic ties between Jordan and Sri Lanka, which she said date back to 1965. She also expressed her country’s desire to strengthen economic and trade ties, citing Jordan’s secure and stable business environment as a particular attraction.