RIYADH: Saudi businessmen are keen on undertaking agricultural projects in Sri Lanka, said a report.

They are also interested in investing in the Eastern Province, the former stronghold of the LTTE, said the leader of the island’s trade delegation who wrapped up a 48-hour visit to Saudi Arabia.

“There are 8,000 hectares of cultivable lands in the newly captured Thoppigala area in the Eastern Province, where several agricultural crops could be produced,” Leader of the seven-member delegation Sarath De Silva said, according to Arab News.

He said Saudi businessmen want to undertake agricultural projects in these arable lands on a joint venture basis for mutual benefits.

Toppigala, also known as Baron’s Cap (or Kudumbimalai in Tamil) is located north-west of Batticaloa, eastern capital of the island situated some 300kms from Colombo. The area is made up of thick jungle where paddy and seasonal (chena) cultivations could be successfully carried out. It is fed by water from Tharavikulam, Vadamunai and Vakaneri tanks. “The European Union had certified that the agro products from this region will be organic,” Silva stressed in the report.

“These fertile lands could be fruitfully cultivated with an investment of around $300 million and one Saudi businessman promptly agreed to take over 100 acres of land for necessary cultivation,” he said, hoping that others would follow suit. Silva pointed out that since no cultivation has taken place in these lands for the past two decades, their produce would be organic.

The crops that could be successfully harvested include pulses, grains, chilies, fruits and vegetables.

The visiting team, which was on the first leg of its regional tour to Bahrain and Oman, met Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Deputy Secretary General Hamad Al-Humeidan at his office and held one-on-one business meetings with Saudi businessmen.
Sri Lankan Embassy Chargé d’affaires W.S.M.S. Wijesundera also participated in the trade discussions.

The Sri Lankan team comprised Chemical Industries Colombo Product Manager H.M.A.U.B. Herath, Eastern Merchants Limited H.J. De Silva, Imperial Teas Pabash Komblavithana, Ohlum Clinic and Laboratories Chairperson Nural Imtheyaz Ovais, Rileys Limited Management Accountant Azif Aza Razeen and Samson Rubber Industries International Marketing Executive Shamila Nagasena.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at SR 756 million in favour of Saudi Arabia, Humeidan said.

The Kingdom has exported urea, copper and copper products, petroleum products and plastic products to Sri Lanka valued at SR 634 million.