Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Tuesday, 17 February 2026 00:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the British High Commission in Colombo, successfully conducted a hybrid Awareness Session titled “Enhancing Export Opportunities to the UK through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)” on 11 February 2026.
The session, held both physically at the EDB and virtually via Zoom, attracted the participation of nearly 200 exporters and export-related stakeholders from across the country.
The objective of the session was to provide Sri Lankan exporters with practical insights into recent developments under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and to enhance awareness of the opportunities available for expanding exports to the UK market.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, highlighted the importance of the United Kingdom as one of Sri Lanka’s key export destinations. He emphasised the significance of the DCTS in offering enhanced market access and simplified trade procedures for Sri Lankan exporters. The Chairman also extended special appreciation to British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick for the guidance and support extended throughout the collaboration, and thanked the British High Commission for its continued cooperation with the EDB.
The main presentation was delivered by UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Regional Trade for Development Advisor for South, Southeast and Central Asia Ellie Parker,. Her presentation titled “The UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme – Recent Improvements and How to Claim Preferences,” provided detailed guidance on key reforms under the DCTS, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and practical steps exporters can take to effectively claim tariff preferences.
An interactive Question and Answer session followed, during which exporters raised practical concerns related to compliance requirements, documentation, rules of origin, and utilisation of preferences. The discussion enabled participants to gain clarity on how to better leverage the DCTS framework to enhance their competitiveness in the UK market.
EDB Acting Director General E. L. K. Dissanayake, thanked the resource persons, collaborating partners, and exporters for their active participation. He reiterated the EDB’s commitment to supporting exporters through targeted awareness programs and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s export performance.
Overall, the awareness session was highly productive and well received, reinforcing the EDB’s ongoing efforts to equip Sri Lankan exporters with timely knowledge and practical tools to capitalise on emerging international trade opportunities under schemes such as the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
