EDB, Germany’s Import Promotion Desk renew partnership to boost SME exports to Europe

• Collaboration ongoing since 2019 delivers strong results in natural ingredients sector, capacity building, buyer linkages, market intelligence and participation in international trade fairs 
• Renewed agreement expands cooperation to include trade promotion, business matchmaking, institutional capacity building and targeted support for export-oriented women entrepreneurs 
• MoU to strengthen export cooperation for Sri Lankan exporters

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) of Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) deepening their longstanding collaboration to strengthen export development and enhance market access for Sri Lankan Export Oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The MoU, which builds on a partnership that began in 2019, was signed in the presence of IPD Head Dr. Julia Bellinghausen, Federation of Wholesale Foreign Trade and Services (BGA) Director International Markets Marcus Schwenke, Stephanie Weber, and other IPD representatives.

Welcoming the agreement, the EDB highlighted that the signing marked an important milestone in the collaboration between the two organisations, noting that IPD become a key development partner in supporting Sri Lankan exporters to improve their international competitiveness and access European markets.

Addressing the gathering, IPD Head Dr. Julia Bellinghausen highlighted the importance of building long-term, sustainable partnerships that enable SMEs to meet international market requirements and establish lasting commercial relationships. 

She reaffirmed IPD’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with the EDB and supporting Sri Lankan exporters through technical expertise, capacity building initiatives, and stronger connections with European markets.

The partnership has delivered significant outcomes, particularly in the Natural Ingredients sector, where Sri Lankan Export Oriented SMEs have benefited from capacity building programs, market intelligence, buyer linkages, and participation in international trade fairs. These interventions have contributed to improved export readiness and the establishment of sustainable business relationships with European buyers.

A key feature of the collaboration has also been the empowerment of Export Oriented women entrepreneurs. Through targeted support initiatives, women led enterprises have been provided with enhanced opportunities to participate in international trade and expand their presence in global markets.

The MoU establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in strategic areas including trade promotion services, exporter development, institutional and staff capacity building, business matchmaking, and development of Export Oriented women entrepreneurship. Under this agreement, IPD will continue to provide technical expertise, training programs, consultancy support, and market access facilitation, while the EDB will support Export Oriented SME engagement and coordinate joint export development initiatives.

The EDB expressed its appreciation to IPD, BGA, and all stakeholders for their continued partnership and support in strengthening Sri Lanka’s export sector and deepening economic ties between Sri Lanka and Europe.

The EDB reaffirmed its commitment to building on this collaboration to further enhance opportunities for Sri Lankan Export Oriented SMEs and women-led enterprises to integrate into global markets and value chains.