Friday Oct 09, 2026
Friday Oct 09, 2026
Thursday, 8 October 2026 05:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday presented appointment letters to members of its 24 Advisory Committees for 2026-2029 and launched the Export Performance Indicators 2025 at a ceremony at The Grand Maitland, Maitland Place, Colombo 7.
Chief Guest Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said: “Building on the growth achieved by all export sectors over the past two years, we must move towards new targets that surpass our own past records. By amending outdated laws and regulations that hinder exports, and with the collective strength and technical expertise of the public and private sectors, everyone must join hands to achieve these
export targets.”
EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe briefed committee members on the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030 and on the Sri Lanka Expo 2027 international exhibition.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, EDB Director General Erandika Dissanayake, Additional Director General – Development Kumuduni Mudalige, other officials, and a large number of committee members also attended.
Section 10(1) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979 empowers the EDB to establish Advisory Committees for the development and promotion of products and services and for functional aspects of export trade. The new members, appointed for a three-year term, represent exporters, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), private sector associations, relevant Government institutions, and sector experts, and were selected on the contribution they could make to their sectors.
The committees’ inputs feed into the EDB’s annual Action Plans, the NEDP, and the National Export Policy, among others, and are intended to revive export performance and set the sector on a sustainable growth path.
The NEDP was formulated by the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry with the EDB and key public and private sector stakeholders, with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Ministry’s policy-based lending program. Aligned with the national export target of $ 36 billion by 2030 and the goal of diversifying the export basket, it sets out the strategies needed to strengthen the business environment and advance export growth.
Of the 24 committees, six cover NEDP cross-sector enablers: Trade Logistics and Hub Operations, Trade Facilitation, Trade Finance, Business and Investment Environment Reform, Trade Promotion and Market Links, Quality Management, Standards, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and Skills Development, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.
Eight cover NEDP priority sectors: Auto Components and Engineering, Mineral-based Products, Rubber-Based Industries, Marine-Based Industries (including Boat and Ship Building), Spices and Concentrates, Digital Products and Services, Electrical and Electronic Components, and Processed Food and Beverages (F&B).
The remaining 10 cover Apparel, Ayurveda and Herbal Products and Cosmetics, Coconut and Coconut-Based Products, Construction and Power Energy Services, Gems, Diamonds and Jewellery, Organic Products, Ornamental Fish, Pharmaceuticals, Seafood and Aquaculture, and SME Exports Development.
