Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
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.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently hosted a productive meeting with Mr. Toyokazu Nagamune, South Asia Regional Representative of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), to explore the potential for establishing a regional economic cluster aimed at facilitating the export of manufactured goods to Japan and other regions. This initiative seeks to enhance economic cooperation between Sri Lanka, India, and Japan.
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.
On March 20, 2025, a meeting was held at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) to discuss enhancing bilateral trade relations between Switzerland and Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by H.E. Dr. Siri Walt, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
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.
National Packaging Centre (NPC) of the EDB was established for the promotion and development of the Packaging industry in Sri Lanka. It supports a wide range of stakeholders, including exporters, manufacturers, designers, SMEs, women entrepreneurs, students, and research institutions. By fostering collaboration among the government bodies and other partners, the NPC is playing a vital role in advancing Sri Lanka’s packaging industry and supporting sustainable growth in the agricultural export sector.
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 Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Export Development Board (EDB), launched a pioneering initiative to position Sri Lankan craft products in the international marketplace the Creative Sri Lanka 2030: Matchmaking Pilot Program 2025. This transformative initiative aims to connect Sri Lanka’s rich craft heritage with the international market, fostering global opportunities for local brands and designers.
A full-day workshop was recently held at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy, bringing together regulators, industry experts, and organic farmers to discuss aligning Sri Lanka’s organic regulations with Great Britain’s (GB) organic standards. This initiative, a critical step towards gaining recognition from the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is expected to enhance Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the international organic market while reducing certification costs and encouraging more farmers and processors to transition to organic agriculture.
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.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has taken a significant step towards fostering the growth of Sri Lanka's boat building and boating industry by taking initiatives to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework aims to enhance the sector’s potential, driving it forward with greater international competitiveness. To ensure effective understanding and collaboration, the EDB organized awareness creation sessions for both public and private sector stakeholders, to aware them on the recent gazette notification issued on the regulatory framework.
(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) recently conducted a successful webinar, focusing on fostering cooperation in the Shipping & Logistics sector between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The main objective of the program is to promote capabilities and strengths of Sri Lanka’s logistics industry in the Vietnam.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) Germany, has taken another significant step toward empowering Export oriented women entrepreneurs by launching Phase II of the "EDB-IPD Women-Led Exports" Capacity Building Programme. This initiative aims to further enhance the export potential of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector by equipping them with essential skills, technical expertise, and international market exposure.
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.
With over 400 certified organic exporters/ processors and more than 12,000 organic producers, Sri Lanka’s organic sector contributes over $0.5 billion annually to the national economy. By aligning regulations with international standards, the country aims to strengthen its credibility in the global organic market and unlock new trade opportunities. Key organic exports include tea, coconut-based products, spices, traditional rice, herbal products, and nutraceuticals.
