19 September 2022 08:45 am Views - 105
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
The number of Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia could be increased to 400,000 from the present 180,000 within a short period of time, Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khalid bin Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani said.
The Ambassador called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to present his credentials recently.
He said his main task would be to increase job opportunities in his country for skilled Sri Lankan workers. “I am fond of Sri Lanka and I will do my best to support your country,” he assured the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Gunawardena urged the new Ambassador to assist Sri Lanka’s efforts to face the economic and fuel crisis. The Prime Minister said the newly introduced relaxed visa regulations and investment facilitation schemes of the Board of Investment will help to attract more Saudi investors to Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister said Saudi Arabia has the opportunities to invest in energy, fisheries and agricultural sectors. He thanked for the support and assistance provided to Sri Lanka under renewed assistance programme’s of the Saudi Development Fund as well as to help early recovery from current economic woes.
They also discussed the plans to promote tourism and re-commencing of Saudi Airlines’ flights to Sri Lanka.