EDB directs Trinco SMEs towards export markets

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), operating under the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, conducted a ‘SME Awareness Creation Forum’ at the Trincomalee District Secretariat on 1 October 2026. 

The forum aimed to support and develop regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs with export potential in the Trincomalee District of Eastern Province. The program comprised three main components; an awareness creation seminar, a mini exhibition and a business clinic.

At the seminar, entrepreneurs learned about EDB services, export market requirements and opportunities, and heard success stories from the fruits and vegetables, processed foods, handicraft and lifestyle products, and fisheries products sectors.

The mini exhibition showcased exportable products from these sectors, with stakeholder institutions and export companies taking part. At the business clinic, EDB officials, public and private stakeholders provided support to help entrepreneurs address their individual challenges and develop products that meet international market standards.

The Trincomalee District of Eastern Province was selected in line with strategic export development priorities, with a focus on integrating fisheries and marine products, agricultural products and tourism-related enterprises into export value chains.

The forum was held as part of the EDB’s regional outreach program under the National Export Development Plan (NEDP), which aims to bring export promotion closer to regional entrepreneurs and connect them with global value chains. Nine such forums have been held across the country since 2017, most recently in Batticaloa in February 2025. The forum is expected to identify export-ready companies in the region and develop them as future exporters.

It also aimed to attract local investment for export industries, raise awareness of the New Exporter Development Program among Government officials, trade chambers and other stakeholders, and encourage innovative, value-added products for export markets.

Through such programs, the EDB will continue to take export promotion to the regions and promote regional economic development.

The program was attended by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, Trincomalee District Member of Parliament Roshan Akmeemana, Trincomalee District Secretary Hemantha Kumara, EDB Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe, Provincial Director of the Eastern Province Department of Rural Industries Riswani Rifas, Divisional Secretaries, and EDB Director of Regional Development D. M. P. Dissanayake, along with officials of the EDB and other State institutions, exporters and a large number of entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Handunnetti said that any task appears impossible until it is accomplished, and that if one gives up believing it cannot be done, it can never be achieved.

The Minister also said that Trincomalee has a unique natural harbour unlike any other in the world, a large extent of land still unused for industry, and vast mineral resources in areas such as Kokkilai, Pudavakattu and Pulmoddai and in the ocean. He pointed out that once the expressway from Colombo to Dambulla is completed, the districts of the Eastern Province will become key areas with the infrastructure required for industry, employment and land. He also stressed that such big dreams can be realised by starting as small businesses and working together.