Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) successfully organized the North Western and North Central Provinces Exporters' Networking Forum, held recently at the Nilawin Hotel & Resort in Chillaw.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully conducted the 07th Provincial ExpoNavigator Programme under the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2026 in Batticaloa.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the host institution of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, collaborated with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the British High Commission in Colombo to launch two sector-specific export handbooks in Sinhala and Tamil. The handbooks aim to strengthen Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) export readiness to better access the United Kingdom (UK) market.
The SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, hosted by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), successfully organised a Workshop on Export Readiness for Women Led Exporters at the Divisional Secretariat, Horana, with the objective of equipping aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills required to enter international markets.
Marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic development, the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 was officially launched today, 16 June 2026.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand, successfully organized a Technical Exposure and Capacity Building Programme in parallel to THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026, held from 24th to 31st May 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sri Lanka strengthened its presence in the international food and beverage sector through its successful participation at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, one of Asia’s largest and most influential food and beverage trade exhibitions, held from 26th to 30th May 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The participation was organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand, with the objective of promoting Sri Lankan food and beverage products and expanding market opportunities in the Southeast Asian region and beyond.
The North Western Provincial Office of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, successfully organized an awareness seminar on “Export Procedures, Costing and Pricing, and Financial Facilities” for potential export industries and entrepreneurs on 27th May 2026 at the District Secretariat Auditorium, Kurunegala
Sri Lanka’s total exports, comprising both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 6 % compared to April 2025.
The North Western Provincial Office of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) successfully organized a networking meeting with the delegation of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) and potential exporters on 15th May 2026 in Kurunegala. The event was conducted as a parallel session to the B2B forum hosted by Industrial Services Bureau (ISB) - Kurunegala.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has announced that Sri Lanka Expo 2026, originally scheduled to be held in 2026, has been rescheduled to 14th to 17th January 2027. The international trade exhibition will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The decision to reschedule was made in response to prevailing geopolitical uncertainties affecting global trade and travel.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making significant progress in the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030. This strategic initiative is designed to position Sri Lanka on a path of sustained export-led economic growth, aligned with the Government’s national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,467.31 million in March 2026, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 5.2 % compared to March 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, exports increased by 9.0% compared to February 2026 (US$ 1,346.2 million), indicating a recovery in export momentum during the month.
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,401.78 million in February 2026, reflecting a notable year-on-year growth of 4.22% compared to February 2025.
On 6th March 2026, 60 women entrepreneurs from Panadura and surrounding areas participated in a comprehensive Branding and Digital Marketing Training Programme, organised by the EDB through the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub and supported by the Divisional Secretariat, Panadura. This programme is part of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s ongoing efforts under the Export-oriented Women Entrepreneurship Development in Regions initiative, aimed at empowering women-led businesses, enhancing their competitiveness, and encouraging them to explore international markets.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), through the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, successfully conducted a Training Programme on Branding and Digital Marketing for women entrepreneurs in Anuradhapura, with the participation of over 50 women led businesses. The programme was organized under EDB’s Export oriented Women Entrepreneurship Development in Regions initiative, aiming to strengthen the capacities of women entrepreneurs, enhance their competitiveness, and encourage them to explore export opportunities in international markets.
Continuing its efforts to foster a dynamic, export-oriented SME sector across Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) successfully conducted an ExpoNavigator Awareness Session for the Uva Province on 10th March 2026 in Badulla. The programme targeted SMEs representing diverse sectors in the Uva Province and witnessed the participation of around 100 entrepreneurs eager to explore export opportunities.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with Verité Research, successfully conducted its second training programme, “Leveraging Trade Data for Export Success,” for women-led exporters in Kandy on 20th February 2026. This initiative was part of the EDB's Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
The Regional Exporters Networking Forum for the Southern Province, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was successfully held in Matara on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The primary objectives of the forum were to identify challenges faced by regional exporters and to explore new export opportunities.
Sri Lanka’s export sector began 2026 on a strong momentum, recording a robust year-on-year growth of 13.71%, signaling renewed momentum in external trade performance. According to statistics released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimated export figures for gems and jewellery, petroleum products, and services, total export earnings reached US$ 1,532.6 Mn. The encouraging performance reflects broad-based growth across key export sectors, improving global demand conditions, and sustained national efforts to enhance export competitiveness at the outset of the year.
