Sri Lankan–German Business Forum 2026 kicks off on Wednesday

German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Felix Neumann (second from right) and Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) Chief Delegate Martin Klose (centre) at the media briefing. Others from left: IWS Holdings Chairman Arthur Senanayake, AHK Head of Corporate Affairs/Export Promotions Malintha Gajanayake and DIMO PLC Chairman Ranjith Pandithage

• Initiative to strengthen trusted partnerships and unlock investment opportunities

The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) with the support of the German Embassy in Colombo will host the Sri Lankan–German Business Forum 2026 from 27 to 29 May 2026 in Colombo, bringing together a high-level delegation of German public and private sector representatives alongside key stakeholders. 

The forum marks an important milestone in further strengthening the long-standing and trusted relationship between Sri Lanka and Germany, built on decades of strong diplomatic engagement and growing trade and investment cooperation.

This year’s forum will welcome key decision-makers from both the German public and private sectors, who will travel to Sri Lanka to explore new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange. Their participation reflects Germany’s continued confidence in Sri Lanka as a strategic partner and an emerging destination for business and investment in the region.

The primary objective of the forum is to raise awareness of Sri Lanka’s potential as an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with a strong focus on the maritime and logistics sectors, while also fostering meaningful business partnerships between Sri Lankan and German companies. With its strategic location along major global shipping routes, Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to develop into a competitive regional hub for ports, logistics, and maritime services. The forum aims to promote this value proposition while encouraging long-term, sustainable collaboration between the two countries.

The three-day program will officially commence on 27 May 2026 at TRACE Expert City, Colombo, with a dedicated kickoff and startup night. This opening event will provide an important platform for Sri Lankan startups and the IT sector to showcase their innovations, technological capabilities, and business solutions to an international audience. By highlighting the country’s growing digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the event creates opportunities for collaboration in innovation-driven sectors and sets the tone for the broader discussions that follow.

The highlight of the forum will be the main conference on 28 May 2026 at the ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, which will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, and international experts for a full day of high-level discussions and networking. The conference will be graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as the Chief Guest, demonstrating the importance of the event at a national level.

The conference will also feature a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers and dignitaries, including German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Felix Neumann, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (DIHK) Dr. Nicole Renvert, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy’s Tobias Pierlings and the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV)’s Almut Rößner.

Throughout the main conference, participants will engage in a series of high-level panel discussions focusing on key areas of bilateral economic cooperation. A major theme will be the development of Sri Lanka’s maritime sector, with discussions centred on unlocking the full potential of the country’s ports as gateways to regional trade and economic growth. Industry experts and policymakers will explore investment opportunities, operational efficiencies, and strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s position as a leading maritime hub.

Further discussions will focus on strengthening exports to the European Union by embracing digitalisation, sustainability, and the effective utilisation of GSP+ trade benefits, providing practical insights for Sri Lankan exporters to expand their global footprint. Another critical area of focus will be financing and mobilising capital for port infrastructure, where experts will examine innovative financing models, including blended finance mechanisms and international partnerships, to support large-scale infrastructure development. In addition, the forum will address opportunities in emerging markets, highlighting actionable strategies and success stories that demonstrate pathways for sustainable business growth.

The final day of the program, 29 May 2026, will feature company visits and institutional engagements, offering the German delegation first-hand exposure to Sri Lanka’s industrial and operational capabilities. These visits are designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce, high operational standards, and sector-specific expertise, further strengthening investor confidence and supporting informed decision-making on future collaborations.

The Sri Lankan–German Business Forum 2026 is organised by AHK Sri Lanka in cooperation with German and Sri Lankan partners, and with the support of numerous international and local stakeholders, including development institutions, industry associations, and private sector partners. This collaborative framework reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth, strengthening bilateral trade, and creating an enabling environment for investment.

By bringing together key decision-makers, investors, and industry leaders from both countries, the forum is expected to unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and innovation. It will further reinforce Sri Lanka’s position as a strategic partner for Germany in the region, while supporting the country’s ambition to emerge as a key hub for maritime, logistics, and global trade.