Sri Lanka has taken a fresh step towards strengthening economic relations with Türkiye, following high-level discussions between the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, one of Türkiye’s most influential business organisations.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, together with an official delegation, met President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Mr Şekib Avdagiç, at the Chamber’s headquarters in Istanbul recently, in a dialogue aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
The discussions centred on advancing the shared ambition of raising bilateral trade to USD 500 million under the Türkiye–Sri Lanka Joint Economic Cooperation framework, while identifying new pathways for private sector collaboration and cross-border investment.
Ambassador Kadurugamuwa highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic position, improving investment climate, and growing economic potential, encouraging Turkish businesses to explore emerging opportunities across key sectors. He emphasised that stronger commercial engagement could significantly enhance mutually beneficial economic outcomes for both countries.
The talks also explored broader areas of cooperation, including improved air connectivity, enhanced maritime links, and strengthened tourism flows between Sri Lanka and Türkiye. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of deepening people-to-people ties and fostering stronger engagement between business communities in both nations.
President Şekib Avdagiç expressed optimism about expanding trade relations with Sri Lanka, noting opportunities for increased Turkish investment in the island nation. He also highlighted Sri Lanka’s appeal as a promising destination for Turkish travellers and investors seeking new market opportunities in South Asia.
As a practical step towards strengthening direct business engagement, both sides agreed to organise a virtual business-to-business (B2B) session, bringing together Sri Lankan exporters and Turkish companies to explore potential trade partnerships and investment collaborations.
Reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment, Mr Avdagiç underscored its continued support for deepening long-standing economic relations between Türkiye and Sri Lanka, and for facilitating stronger private sector linkages.
Founded in 1882, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is among Türkiye’s largest and most influential business institutions, representing a broad spectrum of industries in Istanbul Türkiye’s commercial and financial hub. The Chamber plays a pivotal role in promoting trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation, while actively supporting market expansion, business networking, policy engagement, and global partnerships.
The latest engagement marks a renewed push by both sides to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic outcomes, signalling growing momentum in Sri Lanka–Türkiye relations.