NCE Export Awards: Over three decades of recognising Sri Lanka’s export excellence

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is preparing to host the 34th Annual NCE Export Awards in December 2026 to celebrate the resilience and growth of Sri Lanka’s exporters. The program has been held consistently for over three decades, during periods of economic uncertainty, global disruptions and changing trade conditions, marking its consistency in rewarding Sri Lanka’s export excellence. 

This year’s applications are open until 30 September, and the winners will be recognised at the 34th Annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony on 11 December 2026.

First introduced in 1996, the NCE Export Awards were established with the objective of recognising the contribution made by Sri Lanka’s exporters to the national economy and encouraging higher standards within the export sector. At the time, the evaluation process focused largely on export earnings, market expansion and overall export performance. As Sri Lanka’s export sector evolved, the awards program expanded alongside it.

What began as a recognition scheme covering a number of sectors has gradually developed into a platform that now accommodates a broad range of export industries. Today, exporters representing manufacturing, agriculture, value-added products and services are recognised through a range of sector-specific categories covering both large enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses.

One of the distinguishing features of the NCE Export Awards has been its uninterrupted consistency. Over the years, Sri Lanka’s exporters have faced various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Ditwah, economic difficulties and geopolitical developments that affected global trade flows. Despite these conditions, the NCE continued to hold its annual awards program, recognising exporters who sustained their businesses, fulfilled international commitments and contributed to export earnings during difficult periods.

The awards program itself has also expanded to include more than baseline export performance indicators. While financial and export growth remain important considerations, the evaluation process now takes into account a wider range of business practices, including value addition, product and market development, research and development activities, innovation, governance standards, ethical business conduct and human resource development. The awards framework also incorporates the People, Planet and Profit concept when assessing applicants.

In addition to sectoral awards, the NCE Export Awards recognise exceptional achievements through a number of special awards. These include honours presented to the Most Outstanding Exporter, outstanding women exporters, companies recognised for innovation and organisations that have built successful Sri Lankan-owned export brands, acknowledging diverse achievements beyond volumes and numbers alone.

Over time, receiving an NCE Export Award has become a recognised mark of achievement within Sri Lanka’s business community. The awards also provide companies with an opportunity to benchmark themselves against industry standards and national export objectives. By highlighting successful exporters and sharing examples of business excellence, the program raises awareness of the role played by exports in economic growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. It also provides visibility to Sri Lankan companies competing in international markets.

The Annual NCE Export Awards serve as a reminder of the contribution made by Sri Lanka’s exporters across changing economic times and global conditions. More than three decades after their introduction, they remain an important part of Sri Lanka’s export sector, recognising the enterprises that represent the country in global markets.

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026, while the winners will be recognised at the 34th Annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony on 11 December 2026. Download the application from www.nce.lk.