Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Import Promotion Desk (IPD) intensifies its activities in Sri Lanka and amplifies its cooperation with their strategical partner EDB – the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. The initiative, funded by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports national organizations to further develop export promotion services and establish sustainable trade relations. At the opening ceremony of the IPD Hub in Sri Lanka, which was held on 27th January, 2022 in Colombo, the EDB and IPD reaffirm their commitment to their cooperation.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 16.71% to US$ 1,125.69 Million in December 2021 compared to December 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. In parallel, 12.48% increase recorded in December 2021 compared to December 2019.
EDB in collaboration with Import Promotion Desk (IPD), Germany conducted an onsite training program on 25th January, 2025 for exporters who are going to participate for the Biofach trade fair 2022.
In the autumn 2021, IPD took up residency in its office on the premises of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in Colombo. The IPD hub is now set to be officially opened on 27 January in a ceremony attended by Sri Lankan Minister of Trade Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, German Ambassador Holger Seubert and Gregor Wolf, Deputy Managing Director of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA).
Electronic and Electrical Sector has recorded a 30% increase in its export earnings compared to $328mn recorded last year, despite COVID-pandemic challenges.
Jan Paul Bethke, a leading German importer of Sri Lankan fruits and tea, urged Sri Lankan agri-product exporters to practice effective and superior packaging if they are to be successful in terms of capturing markets in Europe. “If you package your product well, include a QR code (incorporating extensive details such as the farmer who grew products), and convey a personalised story, customers in advanced markets such as Germany and Europe would develop an affinity with your products”, Bethke noted. He made these remarks at a forum organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on packaging and value addition strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s agri-product exports to Germany on 12th January, 2022.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) won the bronze award under the statutory board category at the Best Annual Report & Accounts Awards - 2021, organized by the Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL), which is the public wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). This annual event recognizes and honours public sector institutions that demonstrate high-quality financial reporting. For 2021, the APFASL had received 97 applications from public sector institutions to compete for awards at the yearly event.
