Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Colombo, June 2, 2025 – The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully organized the Pitching Event for the ExpoScaleUp program at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo. Supported under the European Union's regional initiative 'Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS)’ as part of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, this milestone event is a key component of the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2025.
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.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the New Zealand High Commission, successfully conducted a pivotal Awareness Session on Market Access for Export Agricultural Products to the New Zealand Market at the EDB premises in Colombo. The session brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including exporters, producers, government agencies, and industry professionals.
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.
A special networking forum aimed at further expanding Sri Lanka’s export sector globally was successfully held on 07th April 2025, bringing together more than 175 participants, including Sri Lankan exporters and officials from Sri Lanka's overseas diplomatic missions.
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.
In a key initiative to strengthen trade and technological collaboration, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and Business Sweden, together with Team Sweden comprising the Embassy of Sweden, Consul General of Sweden in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association hosted a virtual meeting on March 11, 2025. The session focused on advancements in the food processing sector, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, and experts from both countries to discuss opportunities, challenges, and future avenues for cooperation.
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.
In a significant move to expand Sri Lanka’s footprint in the global food and beverage sector, the country made a remarkable presence at the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025, held in London from March 17th to 19th 2025. The event provided a platform to highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse and high-quality food and beverage exports, opening doors for strategic business collaborations and new market opportunities in UK.
The Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the German Import Promotion Desk (IPD), successfully completed the SME sourcing mission for 2025, aimed at boosting Sri Lankan exports to the European market.
(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) successfully organized a country pavilion at BioFach 2025, the world’s largest annual organic trade fair, held from 11th to 14th February 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany. Nine Sri Lankan export companies participated in the event, showcasing a diverse range of certified organic agricultural products, including food & beverages, spices, tea, coconut-based products, fruits & vegetables, and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) certified Ceylon Cinnamon products.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently hosted a successful networking and knowledge-sharing session at its headquarters in Colombo 02. The event brought together 100 new exporters and entrepreneurs, including SME direct and indirect exporters, along with industry leaders from five key sectors Gem & Jewellery, Tea, Processed Food, Horticulture, and Fresh Fruits.
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.
