Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday, 27 January 2026 02:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened the National Consultative Forum on the Strategic Export Development Roadmap 2026–2030 at its head office, bringing together senior government officials to align policy, institutions and strategy around Sri Lanka’s export-led economic transformation.
As the country’s premier export promotion agency, the EDB is in the process of formulating a National Export Development Plan to guide export growth over the next five years, with the ambitious goal of achieving $ 36 billion in export revenue by 2030. The forum aimed to create awareness among key policymakers on the proposed roadmap and to secure cross-sector collaboration to meet national economic objectives.
EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe presented the National Export Development Roadmap, outlining strategic priorities, sectoral focus areas and institutional reforms required to strengthen Sri Lanka’s export ecosystem.
He underscored the need for coordinated action across Government and industry to enhance competitiveness, diversify markets and increase value addition.
Providing a macroeconomic perspective, Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe shared insights into Sri Lanka’s broader economic roadmap, highlighting the role of export growth in restoring stability, strengthening external balances and supporting sustainable long-term development.
A strong policy focus was reinforced by contributions from Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.
They asserted the importance of a whole-of-Government approach to transform the national export ecosystem, noting that strong institutional coordination and partnerships are critical to driving sustainable growth in exports and the wider economy.
A key highlight of the forum was the official launch of the Export Performance Indicator, a data-driven tool designed to support evidence-based decision-making by businesses and institutions across both the public and private sectors. The tool is expected to improve monitoring, policy formulation and strategic planning within the export sector.
The event also served as a platform to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2026, the country’s flagship international trade exhibition scheduled to be held from 18 to 21 June 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The Expo aims to showcase Sri Lanka’s export capabilities, investment opportunities and cultural diversity to a global audience.
Chief Adviser to the President on the Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya along with over 150 senior Government officials and heads of public institutions, participated in the forum, reflecting strong institutional engagement in shaping the country’s export strategy.
The EDB said the consultative process marks a key step toward building a cohesive, data-driven and globally competitive export framework, positioning Sri Lanka to achieve its medium-term export targets and support sustained economic growth.
