Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and Janathakshan GTE Ltd., the lead implementing partner of the GEF-07 Project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the EDB Head Office, formalizing a strategic collaboration related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and climate-resilient livelihoods.The MoU was signed by Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the EDB, and Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, CEO/Executive Director of Janathakshan GTE Ltd., in the presence of senior officials of the EDB.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has announced that Sri Lanka Expo 2026, originally scheduled to be held in 2026, has been rescheduled to 14th to 17th January 2027. The international trade exhibition will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The decision to reschedule was made in response to prevailing geopolitical uncertainties affecting global trade and travel.
Marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam, the Sri Lanka Viet Nam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum was successfully held today (08) at the Hilton Colombo.
A business meeting between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) delegation and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) was successfully held on 06th May 2026 at the EDB premises in Colombo, reaffirming the longstanding economic ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Sri Lankan ICT companies participating in Japan IT Week 2026 strengthened their international engagement through a strategic visit to Shibuya Startup Support in Tokyo, one of Japan’s most vibrant ecosystems for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making significant progress in the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030. This strategic initiative is designed to position Sri Lanka on a path of sustained export-led economic growth, aligned with the Government’s national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, is pleased to announce the successful completion of Sri Lanka’s second participation at Japan IT Week Spring 2026, held from April 6th to 10th at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,467.31 million in March 2026, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 5.2 % compared to March 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, exports increased by 9.0% compared to February 2026 (US$ 1,346.2 million), indicating a recovery in export momentum during the month.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a high-level meeting between the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and a broad cross-section of Sri Lanka's export industry to discuss the current fuel distribution mechanism and its impact on the export sector.
The National Packaging Centre (NPC) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently conducted an awareness workshop on “Packaging strategies for Spices” for exporters and potential exporters, with the aim of enhancing their knowledge on packaging solutions that meet both local and international market standards. Over 65 exporters and potential exporters participated in the workshop held on 19th 2026 at EDB.
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,401.78 million in February 2026, reflecting a notable year-on-year growth of 4.22% compared to February 2025.
On 6th March 2026, 60 women entrepreneurs from Panadura and surrounding areas participated in a comprehensive Branding and Digital Marketing Training Programme, organised by the EDB through the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub and supported by the Divisional Secretariat, Panadura. This programme is part of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s ongoing efforts under the Export-oriented Women Entrepreneurship Development in Regions initiative, aimed at empowering women-led businesses, enhancing their competitiveness, and encouraging them to explore international markets.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), through the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, successfully conducted a Training Programme on Branding and Digital Marketing for women entrepreneurs in Anuradhapura, with the participation of over 50 women led businesses. The programme was organized under EDB’s Export oriented Women Entrepreneurship Development in Regions initiative, aiming to strengthen the capacities of women entrepreneurs, enhance their competitiveness, and encourage them to explore export opportunities in international markets.
In a critical response to Sri Lanka's escalating fuel shortages driven by Middle East tensions and QR rationing, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe has highlighted a priority program to ensure exporters receive their essential fuel stocks without delay. Treating the export sector as the nation's top priority, this government-backed initiative aims to shield over 4,500 exporters, spread across apparel, tea, spices, and other key industries.
Continuing its efforts to foster a dynamic, export-oriented SME sector across Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) successfully conducted an ExpoNavigator Awareness Session for the Uva Province on 10th March 2026 in Badulla. The programme targeted SMEs representing diverse sectors in the Uva Province and witnessed the participation of around 100 entrepreneurs eager to explore export opportunities.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with Verité Research, successfully conducted its second training programme, “Leveraging Trade Data for Export Success,” for women-led exporters in Kandy on 20th February 2026. This initiative was part of the EDB's Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
The Export Development Board (EDB) recently held a high-level meeting to discuss the critical issues faced by exporters of major products to middle east market due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a landmark gathering titled the "National Export Roadmap – The CEO Forum", bringing together top executives and chief executive officers from the country's leading institutions to brief them on the National Export Roadmap and chart a strategic course for the future of Sri Lanka's export sector.
A high-level business promotion programme held on 27th February 2026 in Bremen brought together major trade chambers, business associations, and prominent German companies, providing an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Germany, explore prospects in the German market, and promote Sri Lanka Expo 2026 as a key international trade event.
The Regional Exporters Networking Forum for the Southern Province, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was successfully held in Matara on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The primary objectives of the forum were to identify challenges faced by regional exporters and to explore new export opportunities.
