First-ever India Trade Desk opens

GITA Founding Partner  Priya Rawat

GITA Adviser Sai Sudha Chandrasekaran

• Dedicated platform designed to help Sri Lankan businesses successfully enter, expand and establish meaningful commercial relationships in India 
• Landmark initiative by Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Global Investment and Trade Advisors set up by former executives of Invest India
• Desk particularly aims to support SMEs

For many Sri Lankan businesses, India has long represented a market of immense potential. Yet despite its proximity and promise, entering and expanding within India has often seemed complex, with businesses facing challenges in identifying the right opportunities, navigating regulations, finding trusted partners, and understanding the nuances of different regions.

Addressing these challenges head-on, the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), in partnership with Global Investment and Trade Advisors (GITA), is launching the India Trade Desk – a dedicated platform designed to help Sri Lankan businesses successfully enter, expand, and establish meaningful commercial relationships in India. 

More than a traditional advisory service, the India Trade Desk serves as a practical bridge between opportunity and execution. The initiative provides businesses with access to market intelligence, State-specific opportunity mapping, regulatory guidance, strategic introductions, investment facilitation, and partner identification to help transform business aspirations into tangible outcomes.

Former Invest India Chief Operating Officer and GITA Founding Partner Priya Rawat said: “The next chapter should not be limited to trade in goods alone. The real opportunity lies in creating partnerships—joint ventures, investments, technology collaborations, tourism initiatives, and business ecosystems that allow companies from both countries to grow together.”

The India Trade Desk has been established with a clear objective: to simplify market entry and accelerate business growth opportunities between Sri Lanka and India. Whether a company is looking to export products, establish a local presence, attract investment, identify distributors, explore manufacturing partnerships, or engage with India’s innovation ecosystem, the Desk provides a structured pathway to connect businesses with the right stakeholders and opportunities.

Recognising that India is not a single market but a collection of diverse States, industries, and consumer segments, the Desk works closely with businesses to identify the most suitable entry points based on their sector, business objectives, and growth ambitions. Opportunities in Tamil Nadu may differ significantly from those in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, or Gujarat, making localised knowledge and strategic guidance critical to success.

Former Invest India Vice President and Head of the Asia Pacific Region and GITA Adviser Sai Sudha Chandrasekaran said: “Companies often see India’s size as a challenge. But every successful expansion starts with one market, one customer, one partner, or one pilot project. The businesses that succeed are those that focus on the right entry point rather than trying to conquer the entire market at once.”

The India Trade Desk is particularly focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which possess strong products, services, and ambitions but lack access to the networks, information, and connections required to navigate a new market. Through its extensive ecosystem of Government agencies, investors, industry bodies, and business leaders across India, the Desk helps level the playing field by providing access to relationships that would otherwise take years to establish.

For a food manufacturer, this may involve identifying distribution channels and understanding regulatory requirements. For a tourism operator, it could mean connecting with strategic partners and investors. Technology companies may gain access to innovation ecosystems, investment opportunities, and potential clients, while manufacturers can explore supply chain partnerships, industrial clusters, and market expansion opportunities.

The timing of this initiative is significant. As businesses globally seek more resilient supply chains, diversified markets, and stronger regional partnerships, economic engagement between Sri Lanka and India continues to gather momentum. India, now home to over 1.4 billion people and one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, offers significant opportunities across manufacturing, technology, services, tourism, logistics, healthcare, and consumer sectors. Coupled with geographical proximity, cultural familiarity, and existing trade frameworks, the market presents a compelling growth opportunity for Sri Lankan enterprises.

However, market potential alone does not guarantee success. Businesses require trusted guidance, local insights, strategic networks, and the ability to engage with the right stakeholders at the right time. The India Trade Desk has been designed to provide exactly that support, helping businesses move from initial conversations to meaningful commercial outcomes.

As Sri Lanka and India continue to strengthen economic ties, initiatives such as the India Trade Desk can play a critical role in fostering deeper business-to-business engagement, encouraging investment flows, and creating long-term partnerships that benefit both economies.

The message to Sri Lankan businesses is clear: do not let the scale of India become a barrier to opportunity. Every successful expansion begins with a first step, and for companies ready to explore one of the world’s most dynamic markets, that step has never been more accessible.

Rawat is among the founding members of Invest India, India’s national investment promotion agency, and played a pivotal role in landmark initiatives including Make in India. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, she has facilitated over $ 100 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), working with governments and businesses across multiple markets to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen industries.

Chandrasekaran previously served as Vice President and Head of the Asia Pacific Region at Invest India, where she worked extensively with governments, investors, and corporations to facilitate cross-border investments and strategic partnerships. Her experience spans market expansion, investment promotion, and ecosystem development across diverse sectors and geographies.

GITA will be hosting a limited number of private one-on-one consultation sessions in Colombo on 24 June. Those interested to join can contact [email protected] or +94 77 246 5980.

Global Investment and Trade Advisors (GITA) is a strategic advisory firm that helps governments, investors, and businesses unlock growth opportunities through investment facilitation, trade promotion, market-entry support, and cross-border partnerships. Leveraging extensive experience across India and international markets, GITA works with public and private sector stakeholders to accelerate investments, strengthen business ecosystems, and drive sustainable economic growth.