Sri Lanka, despite its size is fast becoming an emerging destination for contemporary development. Famed for its traditional exports like Pure Ceylon Tea, Apparel and praised as a tourist hotspot, this island nation is now emerging as one of the top tech destinations in the world. The country has proved the strength of a dynamic force in the business world today, playing a dominant role advancing technology and driving innovation across the world.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise and service exports in 2018 are estimated to have hit an all-time high of $ 17 billion, up 15% from a year earlier prompting the Government to be confident of achieving the $20 billion milestone this year.
At the recently held APICTA 2018, Sri Lanka won 3 Gold Awards and was also able to secure 7 Merit awards. In addition to that, Sri Lanka also emerged as the third highest achiever in the awards tally at APICTA 2018 as well. APICTA or the Asia Pacific Information Communication and Technology Alliance is an association of national ICT organizations representing their respective economies.
INFOTEL 2018, the biggest and most prestigious Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exhibition in Sri Lanka and the whole of South Asia organized by FITIS (Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka), was held from 02nd to 04th November, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo for the 17th consecutive year. INFOTEL 2018, themed “Towards a Digital Economy”, is aligned with the national priorities of enhancing the digital infrastructure of the country for facilitating a digitally empowered ecosystem while improving the Citizens’ engagement in a digital society. Throughout the three days, thousands of local and foreign visitors were taken part in the exhibition.
Over the last several months, the Export Development Board has developed a relationship with UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Global Access Program (GAP) with a view to strengthening Sri Lanka’s exports to the United States. The Export Development Board has worked closely with GAP Executive Director Dr. Fredrik Leuhusen, in addition to seeking external reference from agencies in New Zealand and Finland who have been among the most frequent GAP clients.
The 22nd Presidential Export Awards Ceremony was held to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Exporters at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, on September 18, 2018, under the patronage of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena the President of Sri Lanka.
Following is the address by Minister Malik Samarawickrama at the Presidential Export Awardson 18 September
2018-08-28/ http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/EDB-relaunches-start-up-project-to-support-IT-BPM-industry-to-reach-US-bn-export-target-154629.html
The Export Development Board (EDB) on 27-08-2018 announced the relaunch of the ‘1000 start-up’ initiative, an effort taken towards diversifying Sri Lanka’s export basket and market.
Being the Strategic Partner of the Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conclave 2018 organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) 2018 from 19th to 21st June 2018, the EDB collaborated with CCC in organizing foreign buyers delegation for the event considering the benefits that will accrue to the development of exports through establishment of trade links, creating investment opportunities into the export sectors and image building efforts of the country.
2018-06-19/ http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/EDB-says-National-Export-Strategy-ready-for-Cabinet-approval--151455.html
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday said the National Export Strategy (NES) it has designed in collaboration with the export sector stakeholders is ready to be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval.
2018-05-16/ http://www.ft.lk/business/EDB-awareness-program-for-Southern-Province-entrepreneurs-to-establish-2-000-exporters-by-2020/34-655151
Sri Lanka Export Development Board organised an awareness program for the entrepreneurs of the Southern Province on the national program to establish 2,000 new exporters. The program was held at the Sanaya Hotel, Matara on Friday, 11 May.
2018-04-19/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/Sri-Lanka-s-ICT-BPM-brand--Island-of-Ingenuity--debuts-in-London/50-653514
The national brand for the Sri Lanka ICT/BPM sector was launched in London on 18-04-2018
2018-02-16/ http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Island-of-Ingenuity-national-brand-for-ICT-BPM-launched/44-649571
Sri Lanka’s latest national branding attempt for the ICT/BPM sector ‘IOI - Island of Ingenuity’ was officially launched yesterday, with the Government assuring a Rs. 300 million investment to create a global centre of excellence in high-end product engineering, IP creation and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).
The official brand launch of the Sri Lanka ICT/BPM sector, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with Asian Development Bank (ADB) using technical assistance funding from the Japan Fund, will be held at the Lotus Conference Room, BMICH, on 15-02-2018.
A delegation from Nagano Employers’ Association in Nagano Prefecture, Japan visited Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the objective of increasing awareness on Sri Lankan key export products and services...........
2017-10-30/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/EDB-participates-in-Intergovernmental-Group-of-Experts-on-E-Commerce-and-the-Digital-Economy/50-642443
Information and communications technologies (ICTs) are playing an increasingly important role in the implementation of the digitalisation of economic activities and trade which can support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to ICT-enabled financial services.
2017-10-25/ http://www.ft.lk/top-story/World-Export-Development-Forum-kicks-off-in-Hungary-today/26-642182
The 2017 edition of the annual World Export Development Forum (WEDF) kicks off today in Budapest, Hungary under the theme ‘Trade – A Force for Good: Include, Innovate, Integrate’.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has organized a seminar on “Current and Future Technology Trends” for the Sri Lankan IOT, ICT, and Electronics and Electrical Sector exporters and potential exporters to increase the awareness on current and future technology trends in the world.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organised a half day seminar on ‘Digital Doors to Trade’ for Sri Lankan exporters to create awareness on Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C) digital trade platforms. The seminar was held recently at the EDB Auditorium with the participation more than 125 people.
2017-06-02/ http://www.ft.lk/article/619435/Development-of-women-entrepreneurs-to-enter-international-market
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board organised a half day seminar on the theme ‘Development of Women Entrepreneurs to the International Market’ at the EDB Auditorium, Colombo 02, on 25 May with the objective of creating awareness among women entrepreneurs on business opportunities in the international market, as part of the overall program for developing 2,000 new exporters by 2020.