Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 13% to US$ 1,062.63 Million in January 2022 compared to January 2021 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Further, it is a 5.7% increase when compared to January 2020.
As the final of the series of Agri Webinars organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany together with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) and Import Promotion Desk of Germany (IPD), webinar on “Sustainable Supply Chains and Due Diligence Laws in the Organic Agriculture Sector” was held on 24 January 2022 with the participation of a large number of Sri Lankan Agri Exporters.
The Gulf region has built a strong brand identity in the Food and Beverage space. UAE is blessed with a strategic location between East and West which makes its accessible to major emerging economies, linking shipping routes in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. Gulfood Exhibition launched in 1987 and has currently become the World’s largest annual food and beverage trade show. The 2020 edition of the show has attracted more than 60,000 visitors & 2,500 exhibitors from 162 countries seeking business opportunities and exploring the latest F&B products and innovation. The 2021 event was held following social distancing & hygiene protocols as per the new normal conditions of the world due to COVID – 19 pandemic.
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Nepal and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) jointly organized a virtual meeting for Sri Lankan Construction Companies to interact with the Nepal Ministry of Physical Infrastructure & Transport (MPIT) and learn about procedures and regulations applicable to foreign investors, including for joint ventures.
Marking a moment of historical significance, Sri Lanka received its first ever Geographical Indication (GI) certification when the European Union (EU) Commission on 02nd February, 2022 granted GI status to Ceylon Cinnamon. The outcome was a result of a painstaking, decade-long, arduous endeavour led by the Sri Lanka Export Development (EDB) under the Ministry of Trade with the support of numerous public and private stakeholders.
Trade Minister Hon Bandula Gunawardhana presented cheques and certificates to potential and existing exporters who were selected as beneficiaries under several EDB-led assistance schemes on 28th January, 2022, during a function held at JAIC Hilton hotel. The beneficiaries were chosen under the EDB assistance programmes on National Export Brand Development, New Exporter Development, and Market Access Support.
Import Promotion Desk (IPD) intensifies its activities in Sri Lanka and amplifies its cooperation with their strategical partner EDB – the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. The initiative, funded by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports national organizations to further develop export promotion services and establish sustainable trade relations. At the opening ceremony of the IPD Hub in Sri Lanka, which was held on 27th January, 2022 in Colombo, the EDB and IPD reaffirm their commitment to their cooperation.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 16.71% to US$ 1,125.69 Million in December 2021 compared to December 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. In parallel, 12.48% increase recorded in December 2021 compared to December 2019.
EDB in collaboration with Import Promotion Desk (IPD), Germany conducted an onsite training program on 25th January, 2025 for exporters who are going to participate for the Biofach trade fair 2022.
In the autumn 2021, IPD took up residency in its office on the premises of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in Colombo. The IPD hub is now set to be officially opened on 27 January in a ceremony attended by Sri Lankan Minister of Trade Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, German Ambassador Holger Seubert and Gregor Wolf, Deputy Managing Director of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA).
Electronic and Electrical Sector has recorded a 30% increase in its export earnings compared to $328mn recorded last year, despite COVID-pandemic challenges.
Jan Paul Bethke, a leading German importer of Sri Lankan fruits and tea, urged Sri Lankan agri-product exporters to practice effective and superior packaging if they are to be successful in terms of capturing markets in Europe. “If you package your product well, include a QR code (incorporating extensive details such as the farmer who grew products), and convey a personalised story, customers in advanced markets such as Germany and Europe would develop an affinity with your products”, Bethke noted. He made these remarks at a forum organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on packaging and value addition strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s agri-product exports to Germany on 12th January, 2022.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) won the bronze award under the statutory board category at the Best Annual Report & Accounts Awards - 2021, organized by the Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL), which is the public wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). This annual event recognizes and honours public sector institutions that demonstrate high-quality financial reporting. For 2021, the APFASL had received 97 applications from public sector institutions to compete for awards at the yearly event.
