Reliance Consumer Products eyes deeper Sri Lanka partnerships to expand India reach

CEO T. Krishnakumar  – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., is looking to deepen partnerships with Sri Lankan businesses to take local products into India and strengthen cross-border manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution, as its top executive called for greater policy certainty and sustained investment to unlock the region’s growth potential.

Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of the two-day Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Reliance Consumer Products CEO T. Krishnakumar said the company had built relationships with four Sri Lankan businesses over the past four years and had already launched products from two of them in the Indian market, with encouraging results.

“We value the knowledge and the capability that Sri Lankan enterprises have in many areas of consumer products,” he said, asserting the potential for partnerships that allow businesses in both countries to grow, learn, and create lasting value.

Krishnakumar said Sri Lankan and Indian enterprises could work together across product development, manufacturing, sourcing, packaging, and distribution, enabling companies to reach more consumers and build stronger regional value chains.

Sri Lanka’s established capabilities in products ranging from tea and apparel to ceramics and food offer a platform for deeper commercial collaboration, he noted, citing the longstanding cultural and economic connections between the two countries.

However, he cautioned that successful partnerships required time, mutual trust, and a commitment to sharing benefits.

“They become stronger when each partner feels heard, when commitments are honoured, and when the benefits are shared fairly,” he said.

Krishnakumar identified a predictable operating environment as a key consideration for investors making long-term commitments, noting that clarity and consistency in policy could matter more than the incentives on offer.

“Clarity and consistency, in my view, are far more important than any incentives,” he said, pointing to clear tax policies, dependable regulatory frameworks, timely approvals, and effective mechanisms for resolving difficulties as important elements of investor confidence.

He said long-term investment carried responsibilities towards employees, suppliers, and communities, making stability in the operating environment essential throughout a project’s life cycle.

Krishnakumar opined sustained dialogue between Government and industry could help build that confidence, while businesses also had a responsibility to honour commitments, provide practical feedback, and contribute to the communities in which they operate.

He said Sri Lanka had an opportunity to develop further as a regional centre for manufacturing, services, and logistics, provided the country continued to strengthen its investment environment and build on the progress already achieved.

Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s recent improvements in economic stability and reserves, he said the next phase of growth would require sustained investment in productive capacity, stronger exports, and greater opportunities for young people.

Behind the economic indicators were households, entrepreneurs, employees, and public institutions that had worked through a difficult period, he noted.

Drawing on Reliance Consumer Products’ own expansion, Krishnakumar said the company had grown from a small team of three people four years ago to nearly 11,000 employees, supported by its suppliers, distributors, business partners, and consumers.

He attributed the progress to a combination of execution, respect for local preferences, digitalisation, and affordability.

“While strategy provides direction, progress comes through the daily work of many people,” he said, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality, running efficient operations, ensuring product availability, and responding to areas that need improvement.

He also stressed that businesses entering established markets must respect local brands, consumer preferences, and cultural heritage rather than assume that products successful elsewhere would automatically succeed.

Sri Lanka’s distinct tastes, products, and consumer preferences could provide valuable insights for businesses seeking to expand internationally, he said.

Krishnakumar insisted that the consumer must remain at the centre of business decisions, with dependable quality and fair prices underpinning sustainable growth.

“I worship somebody who is the consumer,” he said, stressing the importance of understanding household needs, purchasing power, and expectations.

He pointed out that businesses must look beyond product quality alone and find ways to make quality goods affordable through better product design, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.

Krishnakumar also identified digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) as major opportunities for businesses, particularly in improving consumer access, operational efficiency, and the participation of smaller enterprises in wider markets.

Digital payments, platforms for farmers, and improved access to information could help suppliers and small businesses connect more effectively with consumers, he said.

However, he stressed that the benefits would depend on making these tools accessible and ensuring that people had the skills and support required to use them effectively.

He also said investment in talent development was equally important. Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial capacity and young workforce offered a strong foundation, but continued investment in education, practical training, innovation, and enterprise would be necessary to translate that potential into broader economic gains.

“Businesses could contribute by investing in employees, working more closely with educational institutions, supporting smaller enterprises, and giving young professionals opportunities to take on greater responsibility,” he added.

Krishnakumar highlighted that India’s economic expansion, growing middle class, and rising consumer aspirations were opening opportunities across a wide range of industries.

Given the two countries’ geographic proximity and longstanding cultural ties, he said that closer commercial integration could benefit businesses and consumers on both sides.

He urged business leaders to view the relationship as a platform for building products, strengthening enterprises, and expanding access to markets, rather than merely increasing bilateral trade.

“Our progress is closely connected, and prosperity in either country can create opportunities for the other,” he added.

Krishnakumar said Sri Lanka’s next phase of growth would depend on sustaining confidence in its investment landscape, deepening partnerships with regional businesses, and keeping households and consumers central to economic policymaking.

“For businesses, serving consumers through affordable quality was both a commercial opportunity and a responsibility,” he added.