Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Export Development Board (EDB) successfully conducted a networking and knowledge-sharing session with established exporters in five different product sectors (Tea, Spices & Coconut-Based Products, Processed Foods & Cashew Products, Ornamental Fish, and Herbal & Ayurvedic Products) for new exporters and entrepreneurs on 22nd May 2025 at the “Training Arena,” 03rd Floor, EDB-NDB Tower, Colombo 02. This event provided an excellent opportunity for new exporters to learn directly from industry leaders and gain practical insights.
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'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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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) successfully organized an awareness seminar on the New Exporter Development Programme on 18th February 2025 at the Techno Park of Eastern University, Sri Lanka, in Batticaloa. This event marked a significant milestone in the EDB’s efforts to enhance the export potential of entrepreneurs in the Eastern Province.
The National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the competent authority for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), launched its ambitious, island wide initiative of awareness programmes to promote organic farming practices recently. As part of the national programme, the first awareness programme planned for 2025 was held successfully in Jaffna on the 21st of January at J Hotels. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 100 participants. Attendees, representing diverse sectors within the agriculture industry, engaged in interactive sessions that emphasized NOCU’s pivotal role in fostering a trustworthy organic agriculture value chain. The participants, representing various sectors of the agriculture industry, gained valuable insights into organic farming, processing methods, market opportunities, standards, and international certification procedures.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), has commenced the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2025. Supported under EU's regional initiative 'Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS)’ as part of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, the SLEII is a strategic initiative to enhance the export capabilities of Sri Lankan SMEs. This initiative includes three components: I: ExpoNavigator for awareness raising and training, II: ExpoScaleUp for capacity-building and export marketing planning, and III: ExpoConnect for market access support through trade fairs and B2B meetings.
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.
The 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony, aimed to recognize best exporters in Sri Lanka, will be held on 7th February 2025 with the sponsorship of Sampath Bank PLC as the Platinum Sponsor. Further DFCC Bank PLC and the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation (SLECIC) will be the Silver Sponsors of the event. These sponsors have joined hands with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) to support the event.
The 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), will take place on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The Export Development Board (EDB) successfully conducted a networking and knowledge sharing session for the women entrepreneurs registered under the “Women Entrepreneurship Development Program” recently at the EDB-NDB Tower, Colombo 02. The event addressed one of the key barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, lack of networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Total exports for November 2024, including both merchandise and services, were recorded at US$ 1,269.33 million, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.04% compared to the same period in 2023.
Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka H.E. Paul Stephens and his team met Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of EDB to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Australia and Sri Lanka.
The United Kingdom (UK)-Sri Lanka Trade Mission, part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, is connecting 13 UK companies with 45 Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs on 02nd – 06th December 2024.
