EDB outlines trade potential and ethical manufacturing strengths

• EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe stressed on resilient and principled export economy ready to deepen ties with Chinese market
• Says China is ranked as Sri Lanka’s 10th largest export destination with value at $ 251.9 m in 2024
• Asserts significant untapped potential in both traditional and emerging product categories
• Highlights readiness to expand export footprint in China through range of high potential products including Ceylon tea, coconut-based products, processed food, fish and fishery products, spices, organic products, fruits and poultry products

EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe

The Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe spotlighted Sri Lanka’s trade potential and ethical manufacturing strengths at the recently concluded ‘Sri Lanka-China Investment and Trade Forum 2025’.

Making a presentation to a high-level audience of Government officials, business leaders and delegates from China, he painted a picture of a resilient and principled export economy ready to deepen ties with the Chinese economic powerhouse.

Wijesinghe noted that China is ranked as Sri Lanka’s 10th largest export destination, while is ranks as Sri Lanka’s top import market. With total exports to China valued at $ 251.9 million or just 2% of country’s total exports, he asserted that there is significant potential to enhance merchandise shipments. 

“The average annual growth rate over the past five years has been at 1.84%. This highlights significant untapped potential remains in both traditional and emerging product categories,” he added.

Key exports to China at present include; tea, apparel, activated carbon, coco peat, fibre pith and moulded products, and frozen fish.

He opined that Sri Lanka is well positioned to expand its footprint in the Chinese market through a range of high potential products. Among these are: Ceylon Tea, which has long held a premium global reputation, as well as an increasingly diversified portfolio of coconut-based products, processed foods, and fishery items. 

Wijesinghe said several Sri Lankan fish exporters have already secured the necessary regulatory clearances to enter the Chinese market and similar progress has been made for Ceylon Cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg. 

“Ceylon Cinnamon is now officially cleared for exports to China,” he stressed. 

In addition, he pointed out that Sri Lanka is making strides in organic produce and fresh fruits with quarantine clearances obtained for banana and pineapple exports. The EDB is also working toward securing compliance to begin exports to poultry products and wheat bran pellets to China, reflecting broader push to widen the country’s agri-food trade scope.

In a notable accolade to Sri Lanka’s ethical manufacturing credentials, he highlighted the country as a flagship green destination, home to the world’s first ozone friendly tea grower. Beyond product potential, EDB Chief also emphasised on the values and standards underpinning Sri Lankan industries. 

“These export firms manufacture for some of the most recognised international brands, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s status as a reliable, responsible sourcing destination,” he added.  

He said all tea is grown using 100% ozone-friendly methods and that the country is a leader in value-added tea exports.

There are 34 EU-approved fish processing establishments that use sustainable fishing techniques, with 100% of fishery vessels licensed under the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). These operations comply with all international regulations, including CITES and IUU.

Additionally, Sri Lanka has ISO and HACCP-certified production facilities for coconut kernel-based products such as desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut milk powder. These are produced using environmentally friendly cultivation and manufacturing practices, with no animal cruelty and organically certified coconut farms.

Sri Lanka is also the single largest supplier of tawashi brushes in the world and the global top exporter of brown fibre. The country has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) recognition for Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU, and the ‘Pure Ceylon Cinnamon’ brand name and trademark are registered in the USA, Peru, Colombia, and the EU.

He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to upholding international labour standards, emphasising that its industries are free of child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and sweatshop conditions. The nation is in compliance with major International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, and more than 80% of its manufacturing facilities meet global environmental and labour benchmarks.