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 Export Development Board organized the Technical Exposure programme & the product display parallel to “Style Bangkok 2025” for the Sri Lankan export potential SME companies in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand from 01st to 06th April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.
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.
A strategic planning session focusing on current export conditions, regional potential, and the necessary interventions to enhance export development in the North Western and North Central Provinces was held recently at the Kurunegala District Secretariat. The session was chaired by Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with the objective of strengthening provincial-level contributions to Sri Lanka’s national export development agenda.
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.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) hosted an orientation programme for the newly appointed Heads of Sri Lanka Missions on 16th May 2025 at the EDB. Organized at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the session aimed to brief the Heads of Missions on Sri Lanka’s current export strategies, sectoral priorities, and potential avenues for diplomatic collaboration to enhance international trade.
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.
As part of its strategic island-wide campaign, the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU) - the country’s official authority for organic agriculture coming under the purview of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) - successfully conducted its second awareness program for 2025 at Hotel Swissdale - Matale, drawing close to 100 participants representing diverse sectors of the agriculture industry.
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.
A strategic discussion aimed at enhancing the contribution of provincial export development was held on 22nd April 2025 under the patronage of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, at the Matara District Secretariat. The event marked the initiation of a pilot project in the Southern Province, designed to develop and implement a structured export-oriented action plan at the Divisional Secretariat level.
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 International Electronics Manufacturing Association (IPC), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), and Sri Lanka Electronic and Electrical Manufacturers and Exporters Association (SLEEMEA), organized a Wire Harness Competition and a Technical Session on Wire Harness on 04th April 2025, at the DHPL 03rd Floor Auditorium.
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.
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.
Five leading Sri Lankan brands ApiHappi, House of Lonali, Leap by Mihiri Devendra, Sonali Dharmawardena, and Selyn have successfully completed the initial stage of the Creative Sri Lanka 2030 international knowledge-sharing program. The brands were awarded completion certificates under the education arm of the Matchmaking Program, delivered by The Institute of Future Creations (TIFC) and the University of the Arts London (UAL), ranked #2 globally for art and design in the QS World University Rankings. This milestone is a key step in aligning Sri Lanka’s craft and design sector with international market standards.
