Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
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.
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.
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.
The Global Textile and Clothing Programme (GTEX) phase II is a technical assistance programme that will support the Textile & Clothing sector in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia as well as Sri Lanka to increase its export competitiveness by focusing on sustainability and circularity aspects as key competitiveness drivers.
Sri Lanka has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in its export sector during the first quarter of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 4,212.13 Mn, reflecting a robust 5.87% growth compared to the same period last year.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently organized a stakeholder consultation to discuss strategies for mitigating the potential adverse impact of the newly imposed 44% reciprocal tariff by the United States on Sri Lankan exports.
The Export Development Board (EDB) and the Sri Lanka Police have signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen mutual cooperation in investigations related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.
On March 20, 2025, a meeting was held at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) to discuss enhancing bilateral trade relations between Switzerland and Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by H.E. Dr. Siri Walt, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently hosted the 25th Exporters’ Forum at its headquarters, providing a vital platform for exporters to voice their concerns and seek practical solutions to challenges faced in the export sector. Held on March 24, 2025, the Forum attracted a diverse group of stakeholders from the export industry.
Total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached at US$ 1,382.53 Mn in February 2025, marking a notable 4.62% year-on- year growth compared to February 2024. Additionally, exports recorded a 2.58% month-on-month increase compared to January 2025.
The Sri Lankan Export Development Board (EDB) is proud to host the newly launched SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, marking a milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to support women entrepreneurs. As the host institution, EDB, in collaboration with ITC SheTrades, uses the SheTrades Outlook tool to monitor the policy environment and assess its support for women entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka.
(Colombo/Geneva) – On 14 March, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are launching the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, funded by the UK’s SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme.. The hub will serve as a resource centre to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, market access, and policy support required to successfully navigate international trade dynamics, fostering greater participation in global trade.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) Germany, has taken another significant step toward empowering Export oriented women entrepreneurs by launching Phase II of the "EDB-IPD Women-Led Exports" Capacity Building Programme. This initiative aims to further enhance the export potential of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector by equipping them with essential skills, technical expertise, and international market exposure.
A workshop on “Exporting from Sri Lanka To Japan; Guide & Good Practices” was successfully conducted on 24th February 2025, at Hotel NH Collection, Colombo, through collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).
Sri Lanka’s exports have surged past $1.3 billion in January 2025, marking a strong and promising start to the year! This remarkable growth reflects the resilience, innovation, and competitiveness of Sri Lankan industries, paving the way for sustained economic success.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the host institution of SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), recently facilitated the participation of Selyn Exporters (Pvt) Limited and Candle House Ceylon, two Sri Lankan women-led businesses, at Ambiente 2025, one of the world’s premier trade fairs for consumer goods held in Frankfurt, Germany. This initiative was part of the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, funded by the United Kingdom's (UK) International Development.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), successfully conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme under the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, funded by UK International Development.
Mr. Marcus Pettersson, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Gothenburg, Sweden, visited the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Sweden on 17th January 2025.
The International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the British High Commission in Colombo and the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, hosted by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), launched two sector-specific export handbooks aimed at equipping Sri Lankan women-led businesses with essential knowledge to enter the United Kingdom (UK) market. The launch event which, held on 27th January at Westminster House in Colombo convened key stakeholders from Sri Lanka and the UK to mark this significant milestone in trade facilitation.
As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in December 2024 amounted to US$ 1,042.5 million, reflecting an 4.06% increase compared to December 2023. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from export of Apparel & Textiles, Tea, Rubber based products, Coconut based products, Spices & Concentrates and Food & Beverages.
