Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers (NAPP) and the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), successfully organized an awareness workshop on the Fairtrade certification process .The event was held at the Royal Mall Hotel in Kandy with the participation of 70 producers, exporters, and other key stakeholders from the Central Province.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board organized the Technical Exposure programme & the product display parallel to “Style Bangkok 2025” for the Sri Lankan export potential SME companies in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand from 01st to 06th April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) officially launched the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub web page under the framework of the United Kingdom (UK) Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to empower women-led businesses and integrate them into global trade.
Sri Lanka's export sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady progress during the first four months of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 5,583.25 Mn, marking a robust 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This upward trend reflects renewed momentum across key industries and underscores the sector’s adaptability in an evolving global trade landscape.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the New Zealand High Commission, successfully conducted a pivotal Awareness Session on Market Access for Export Agricultural Products to the New Zealand Market at the EDB premises in Colombo. The session brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including exporters, producers, government agencies, and industry professionals.
A strategic planning session focusing on current export conditions, regional potential, and the necessary interventions to enhance export development in the North Western and North Central Provinces was held recently at the Kurunegala District Secretariat. The session was chaired by Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with the objective of strengthening provincial-level contributions to Sri Lanka’s national export development agenda.
An awareness session on “Agricultural Product Exports to China through GACC Registration” was successfully conducted recently at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) premises, as a follow-up action to the 25th Exporters’ Forum.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) hosted an orientation programme for the newly appointed Heads of Sri Lanka Missions on 16th May 2025 at the EDB. Organized at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the session aimed to brief the Heads of Missions on Sri Lanka’s current export strategies, sectoral priorities, and potential avenues for diplomatic collaboration to enhance international trade.
Sri Lankan Giftware and Lifestyle sector blends traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, producing unique items such as batiks, handloom textiles, wooden products, and ceramic products, bamboo and rattan products with annual export revenue over USD 60 Mn. Most of the potential exporters can be categorized under SME category which provide direct employment for over 200,000 people including Artisans.
As part of its strategic island-wide campaign, the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU) - the country’s official authority for organic agriculture coming under the purview of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) - successfully conducted its second awareness program for 2025 at Hotel Swissdale - Matale, drawing close to 100 participants representing diverse sectors of the agriculture industry.
A team of officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) visited the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on 25th April, 2025 to initiate discussions on the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2025–2029, a key initiative announced in the 2025 Budget under the "A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life" policy framework.
