By: Staff Writer
October 27, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh, along with the Coconut Development Authority of Sri Lanka, facilitated the country’s inaugural participation in the 41st Saudi Agriculture Expo. This year’s event, held from October 21-24, 2024, saw ten Sri Lankan companies specializing in coconut-based products represented for the first time.
Ambassador Ameer Ajwad of Sri Lanka officially opened the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, emphasizing the importance of this platform for Sri Lankan businesses.
He described the expo as a significant breakthrough for the country’s agriculture sector, urging other Sri Lankan agri-businesses to leverage this event to introduce their products to a global market. According to Ajwad, increased representation at international trade fairs can significantly boost Sri Lanka’s export offerings and contribute to economic growth.
The ambassador highlighted the relevance of Sri Lankan companies producing coco peat at the event, given Saudi Arabia’s ongoing ‘Green Initiative’—a key element of Vision 2030 that includes planting 10 million trees to support environmental goals. Coco peat, known for its effectiveness in arid climates, could play a substantial role in supporting this initiative as a preferred growth medium.
During the expo, high-profile guests including HH Prince Mutab bin Fahd bin Farhan, an advisor to the leadership of the King Abdulaziz Reserve and King Salman Reserve,
Assistant Permanent Secretary to the Saudi Ministry of Environment and Agriculture Dr. Ali Alshaikhi, and Fayez Al-Shaheeli, Vice President of the Federation of Chambers of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Saudi NAF Group, visited the Sri Lankan pavilion upon Ambassador Ajwad’s invitation. They held meaningful discussions with the Sri Lankan delegation on potential collaborations and trade expansions.
Sri Lanka’s representatives also engaged with the Saudi Green Building Forum during a networking session on the sidelines of the expo. Ambassador Ajwad hosted a luncheon for the delegation to reflect on feedback and potential improvements for future events.
The Saudi Agriculture Expo, marking its 41st edition, welcomed over 370 exhibitors from 29 countries, displaying innovations and technological advancements in the agriculture sector. The expo provided numerous networking opportunities, along with expert-led conferences and discussions, facilitating trade connections and knowledge exchange among participants.
The participating Sri Lankan companies included Dew Cocos Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Earthscape (Pvt) Ltd, Eco Soil Substrates (Pvt) Ltd, FNF Exports Ltd, Hardy Export Company (Pvt) Ltd, M.C. Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Thuselco Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Tropical Green Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Eco Trends (Pvt) Ltd, and Hayleys PLC.
This landmark participation aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s international trade presence in the Middle East and open doors for new export opportunities.
