Cairo: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Egypt, Sisira Senavirathne, alongside embassy officials, convened with the Chairman of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce in Ismailia, Akram Hussein Al-Shafei, and members of the Executive Board at the Chamber's headquarters in Ismailia on 26 August 2026. The meeting aimed to explore a wide range of trade and investment opportunities, seeking to strengthen economic ties and enhance engagement between the business communities of Sri Lanka and Egypt.
According to African Press Organization, the gathering attracted over 20 representatives from the business and investment sectors, including company representatives and Chamber Board Members active in Ismailia. This platform was significant in showcasing Sri Lanka's trade and investment potential, encouraging deeper interaction between the business communities of both countries, and promoting Sri Lanka Expo 2027 to Egyptian investors and businesses.
During the meeting, Ambassador Sisira Senavirathne elaborated on the business and investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka. He urged the Egyptian business community to consider partnerships, joint ventures, and direct collaborations with Sri Lankan counterparts. The ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional connections between the business chambers of the two nations, suggesting the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate ongoing cooperation between businesses.
Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, presented Sri Lanka Expo 2027, the country's premier international trade and investment forum, scheduled to take place in Colombo from 14 to 17 January 2027. He extended an invitation to the Chamber and the Egyptian business community to participate in the Expo, offering opportunities to forge and expand business partnerships with Sri Lankan enterprises.
Akram Hussein Al-Shafei, Chairman of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce in Ismailia, emphasized the mutual benefits of enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and Egypt. He pointed out opportunities for foreign direct investment in Ismailia and the potential for expanding the presence of Sri Lankan products in the Egyptian market, particularly agricultural goods. Al-Shafei expressed interest in attending Sri Lanka Expo 2027 with a Chamber delegation. Both parties agreed to identify and pursue new trade and investment opportunities and to strengthen partnerships between their business communities through closer cooperation and engagement between trade chambers.
Prominent participants from the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce in Ismailia included Vice Chairman Galal Mohammed Taher, Second Vice Chairman Osama El-Adawy, Secretary General Saeed Mohamed Shuaib, Treasurer Wael Abdel Aziz, Assistant Treasurer Ahmed Sami Selim, Chairwoman of the Women's Business Council Amal Ibrahim Mahmoud, and other Board members. Ambassador Sisira Senavirathne was accompanied by Second Secretary Darshika Dasanayake and Trade Assistant Omar Hamdy from the Embassy.