Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
On December 27, 2024, His Excellency Ruben Gauci, High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta to India and Sri Lanka, met with Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), at the EDB premises to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade relations between Malta and Sri Lanka. Mr. Shano Sabar, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Malta to Sri Lanka, and senior EDB officials also attended the meeting.
The Export Development Board (EDB) successfully conducted a networking and knowledge sharing session for the women entrepreneurs registered under the “Women Entrepreneurship Development Program” recently at the EDB-NDB Tower, Colombo 02. The event addressed one of the key barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, lack of networking opportunities with industry leaders.
In a significant development for Sri Lanka’s Fair trade sector, a stakeholders' meeting was recently held in Colombo in December 2024, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Fairtrade Network of Asia Pacific Producers (NAPP), Sri Lanka. The meeting aimed to discuss the main projects currently executing, future of Fairtrade in Sri Lanka, issues pertaining to the sector and its expanding international presence.
Total exports for November 2024, including both merchandise and services, were recorded at US$ 1,269.33 million, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.04% compared to the same period in 2023.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France, successfully organized Sri Lanka's participation at SIAL Paris 2024 - one of the world’s leading F & B exhibitions held once every two years in France - which took place from 19th to 23rd October, 2024, in Paris.
Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka H.E. Paul Stephens and his team met Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of EDB to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Australia and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) co-organized a series of factory visits as part of the UK-Sri Lanka Trade Mission under the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme.
The United Kingdom (UK)-Sri Lanka Trade Mission, co-organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), successfully concluded its Jaffna program on 04th December 2024. This initiative highlighted the export potential of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern region.
The United Kingdom (UK)-Sri Lanka Trade Mission, part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, is connecting 13 UK companies with 45 Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs on 02nd – 06th December 2024.
As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in October 2024 amounted to US$ 1,097.1 million, recorded an increase of 18.22 % compared to the month of October 2023. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from export of Apparel & Textiles, Tea, Rubber based products, Coconut based products and Spices & Concentrates.
In a strategic move to bolster Sri Lanka’s exports and enhance the international competitiveness of SMEs in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) signed a cooperation agreement with International Finance Corporation (IFC) launching the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI).
Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels participated at the European Parliament ‘Fair-Trade Breakfast-2024’, on 13th November 2024, highlighting Sri Lanka as one of the best ethical and sustainable sourcing destinations in the world.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to Sri Lanka Her Excellency Carmen Moreno reiterated their unwavering commitment to uplift the island’s economic conditions by engaging in fruitful collaborations. The Ambassador made these remarks when she made a courtesy call on the newly appointed EDB Chairman Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe on the 07th November, 2024, together with the Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Lars Bredal.
As a strategic move to develop a mechanism for addressing challenges in the export value chain, the Export Development Board (EDB) has established a Trade Facilitation Task Force. The first meeting was held on October 29 at the Export Development Board.
As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in September 2024 amounted to US$ 937.95 million, recorded a decline of 3.49 % compared to the month of September 2023. This was mainly due to the decrease in earnings from export of Tea, Rubber based products, Electrical & Electronics and Seafood.
In a significant step towards strengthening trade and economic relations between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Export Development Board (EDB) have come together to host a landmark Roadshow at The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo on 11th October 2024 .
Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe officially assumed duties as the 16th Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on October 16 at the EDB headquarters. He initially joined Browns & Company 16 years ago.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) met a delegation led by H.E. Jan Thesleff, Swedish Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka, Mr. Sanjay Kulatunga, Honorary Consul General of Sweden in Colombo, and Mr. Pawan Tehlani, Lead for Sustainability and Climate Change at Business Sweden, on 04th of October 2024. The meeting was mainly focused on potential business collaborations and opportunities between the two nations.
As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in August 2024 amounted to US$ 1,165.4 million, recorded an increase of 4.18 % compared to the month of August 2023. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from export of Apparel & Textiles, Tea, Rubber based products, Coconut based products and Spices & Concentrates.
A delegation from the Canton Fair Operations Department of China visited Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on 30th August 2024 to scale up trade relationship between the two countries through participating at trade promotional events such as Canton Fair 2024.
