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.
The launch event, held at the EDB premises, was graced by the presence of Lord Hannett of Everton, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, H.E. Andrew Patrick, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board and Mrs. Champika D. Dharmasena Director General of the Export Development Board. Their presence highlighted the strong national and international support for gender-inclusive trade and economic development.
Lord Hannett, UK’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, commended the initiative and the growing collaboration between Sri Lanka and the UK in promoting inclusive trade:
‘It was a pleasure to celebrate the launch of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub webpage, an excellent resource which forms part of the wider ecosystem of support available to women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The UK government is committed to supporting women and gender equality through our work and I look forward to seeing how this resource will facilitate greater access for Sri Lankan women-led business to international markets.’
Speaking at the event, Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board underscored the importance of inclusive economic development:
“Empowering women entrepreneurs is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient economy. The launch of the SheTrades web page reflects our dedication to breaking down barriers and enabling more women to participate in and benefit from international trade”.
The newly launched SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub web page is accessible at www.srilankabusiness.com/exporters/shetrades/ all registered women-led business in Sri Lanka are strongly encouraged to register through the platform to connect with export opportunities, gain market exposure, and benefit from tailored support.
SheTrades, a global initiative of ITC, aims to connect three million women entrepreneurs to international markets by providing access to business tools, training, mentoring, B2B opportunities, and policy advocacy. As part of the global network of 21 SheTrades Hubs, the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, hosted by the EDB and established with the support of the UK-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme serves as a national focal point to promote and facilitate the increased participation of women in Sri Lanka in international trade. Through this platform, women entrepreneurs can increase their competitiveness, gain access to markets, integrate into global value chains, and form strategic connections with buyers and partners across the world.
The launch of this web page further reinforces EDB’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable export development, particularly in key export sectors which see significant participation by Sri Lankan women-led businesses. By working closely with international organizations and local stakeholders, the EDB aims to remove barriers, build capacity, and enable women to thrive in global markets.
