Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The 1st of August 2025 marks the 46th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the country’s apex organization for export promotion and development. Established under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979, the EDB plays a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant and diversified export sector, positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive player in global trade.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), under the patronage of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, successfully conducted the Regional Exporters Networking Forum on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Katugastota, Kandy.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, represented Sri Lanka at two prestigious international events held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Trade Promotion Organizations (TPO) Leadership Dialogue and the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting. Both events took place at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre from 22nd to 24th July 2025.
Sri Lanka's export sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady progress during the first six months of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 8,337.86 Mn, marking a robust 6.70 % growth compared to the same period in 2024.
The National Organic Control Unit (NOCU) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) continued its mission to elevate Sri Lanka’s organic agriculture sector by successfully conducting the third phase of its 2025 national awareness programme at Riveria Resort - Batticaloa on 08th July. The awareness seminar follows the earlier programs held in Jaffna and Matale that were highly beneficial to the participants. The one-day awareness programme contained expert presentations and stakeholder discussions and drew over 75 participants from the Eastern Province, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the organic value chain.
A delegation of 42 Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) made a strong impact at the 19th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF), held from 27th to 30th June 2025 at the China Import & Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou. Organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and with the active facilitation of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou,
The Export Agriculture Division of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with its Central Province Regional Office, successfully conducted an awareness workshop on the topic “Development of Ayurvedic and Herbal Cosmetic Products for Export Markets” at The Royal Mall Hotel - Kandy. This targeted initiative was aimed at empowering small and medium-scale Sri Lankan manufacturers and exporters in the ayurvedic, herbal, and cosmetic sectors.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) initiated a constructive dialogue with the National Initiative for R&D Commercialization (NIRDC) to explore avenues of support for strengthening the Sri Lankan pharmaceutical sector through Research and Development. The meeting took place on 07th July 2025 at the EDB premises, with the participation of private sector representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, NIRDC, and EDB.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is now calling for applications for the 27th Presidential Export Awards, which will be held under the patronage of His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in December 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on 1st July, 2025 held a productive and insightful discussion with the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (SLPMA) to explore collaborative pathways for the development of the local pharmaceutical sector with a strong focus on export growth and overcoming key industry bottlenecks.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the Australian High Commission, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), hosted a high-level seminar titled “Leveraging Australian Best Practices in Export Promotion” on 30th June 2025 in Colombo.
His Excellency Semih Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye and the Export Development Board (EDB) engaged in discussions on fostering international relations and exploring trade opportunities between the two countries. The meeting was held at EDB on 12th June 2025.
Sri Lanka's export sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady progress during the first five months of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 6,933.35 Mn, marking a robust 7.14% growth compared to the same period in 2024.
The National Packaging Centre (NPC) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently conducted an awareness workshop on “Packaging of Food Products” for exporters and potential exporters, with the aim of enhancing their knowledge on packaging solutions that meet both local and international market standards.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a high-level meeting to explore strategic collaboration for the implementation of the newly launched Initiative for Textile Sustainability Benchmarking (ITSB) a transformative platform aimed at elevating sustainability standards across Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel sector.
Sri Lankan Food & Beverages Exporters took part in THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2025, the leading food and beverage trade show in Asia, which successfully held from 27th to 31st May 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Thailand organized the Sri Lanka Country Pavilion at THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2025 to showcase the Food and Beverage products of four Sri Lankan manufacturers, including three SMEs, aiming at potential buyers and distributors in Southeast Asia.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in United Arab Emirates (UAE) organized a country pavilion at Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo 2025 in Sharjah, UAE with the participation of 10 SME companies in the Rubber Product sector under the National Export Brand “Your Vital Island ‘to promote Sri Lanka Rubber Products in the Middle Eastern Region. The exhibition was held from 17th -19th June 2025 at Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, UAE.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is steadily progressing in the development of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2025–2029. As part of this ongoing initiative, the second round of discussions took place on 02nd June 2025 at the EDB premises, following the inaugural meeting held in April.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, successfully concluded a full-day workshop on Social Compliance under the Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
A Stakeholder Awareness Program on the recent revisions to the Sri Lankan Organic Standard and Regulatory Framework was successfully held at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
