FCCISL, Chathura open talks to drive SMEs toward 25% export growth

FCCISL delegation including President Dr. M. Rohitha Silva (fourth from left) with Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe 

• Presents comprehensive blueprint to identify, incubate, and develop between 1,000 and 5,000 scalable SMEs

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) held a high-level bilateral policy dialogue with Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe last week. 

The meeting established a unified roadmap to accelerate regional enterprise growth and integrate the private sector with the government’s newly launched National SME Strategy Framework, aligning with the strategic vision created by the FCCISL Strategy and State Affairs Committees.

Led by FCCISL President Dr. M. Rohitha Silva, the delegation presented a comprehensive blueprint to identify, incubate, and develop between 1,000 and 5,000 scalable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across all districts and provinces. This nationwide rollout will be executed in direct collaboration with the Ministry and its affiliated state agencies. The program focuses on transformational growth, an integrated approach, market orientation, fostering an entrepreneurial society, and delivering measurable outcomes and impact, operating directly in line with the Ministry’s vision. To achieve policy goals in earnings, exports, employment, competitiveness, and sustainability, FCCISL and the Ministry will implement joint approaches in institutional strengthening, capability enhancement, growth enablement, and problem-solving.

Leveraging its nine regional pillars, 65 affiliated chambers, and international chamber alliances, the FCCISL will shortly launch a three-year roadmap. This initiative will strengthen the private sector, supporting growth and a sustainable circular economy integrated with government policies.

To drive rapid export expansion and strategic import substitution, the partnership will establish localised incubation systems focused on high-priority economic sectors. Target industries include Agriculture and Food Security, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Transport and Logistics, Eco-friendly Products, Seafood, and Value-added Coconut and Rubber products.

Furthermore, to ensure these scalable enterprises can access international supply chains, FCCISL outlined its “SMEs Go Global” initiative. This program will leverage the Federation’s strong institutional ties with global commerce bodies—including the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), APTA CCI, the European Union (EU), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—to facilitate direct market entry for Sri Lankan exporters.

In alignment with this global outreach strategy, the FCCISL formally invited the Deputy Minister to participate in upcoming international trade and investment missions. These include a collaborative delegation to India with FICCI, a bilateral trade visit to New Zealand, and a targeted Investment Forum with Saudi Arabia scheduled for early 2027.

Addressing structural capital requirements, both institutions strategised on unlocking specialised government funding mechanisms to support key sectors. Discussions highlighted the mobilisation of the Construction Guarantee Fund to stabilise the construction sector, alongside dedicated financial instruments for ICT ventures and emerging startups.

FCCISL President Dr. M. Rohitha Silva said: “This partnership marks a critical step in bridging national industrial policy with grassroots enterprise development,” stated “By aligning our regional chamber network directly with the SME Nexus framework and unlocking international market corridors, we are building an actionable, scalable ecosystem that will transform localised businesses into globally competitive entities.”

The FCCISL delegation included Past President Shirley Jayawardane; State Affairs Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva; Risk and Sustainability Committee Chairman Dhammika Lokuge; Strategy Committee Co-Chairman Thusith Wijesinghe; Director Dr. Vignesh Kularatnam; Secretary-General Tilan M. Wijesooriya; and Head of Operations M. I. S. Fathima.