Sri Lanka Expo 2026 set to drive export-led growth

• Targets 1,500 international buyers, over 750 exhibitors across 24 sectors from 18-21 June 
• EDB Chief Mangala Wijesinghe says Expo aims new markets, innovation, investments and global partnerships to boost exports to $ 36 b by 2030 
• Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara notes move aligns with national goals to raise industrial GDP share to 28% by 2030

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara

Sri Lanka Expo 2026, returning after a 14-year hiatus, was officially launched yesterday by the Export Development Board (EDB) as a flagship national initiative aimed at accelerating export growth, industrial transformation, and global engagement, with strong backing from both the Government and the private sector. 

The four-day exhibition will be held from 18 to 21 June at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

Speaking at the launch, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is far more than a conventional trade exhibition, describing it as a national platform for exports, innovation, and partnerships. 

He noted that the Expo will bring together exporters, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners across multiple sectors, creating a unified space to showcase Sri Lanka’s economic potential to the world.

Wijesinghe said the primary objectives of Sri Lanka Expo 2026 include showcasing the country’s diverse export industries to global markets, building buyer and investor confidence, promoting Sri Lanka as a key trade and investment hub in South Asia, and facilitating pathways to achieve the national export target of $ 36 billion by 2030.

The Expo is expected to attract around 1,500 international buyers and feature over 750 exhibitors across 24 product and service sectors, offering a one-stop sourcing destination for high-quality goods, services, and innovative solutions. 

Buyers will gain direct access to new suppliers, live product demonstrations, and potential business partners through carefully curated business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions and investor forums. Special buyer packages covering airfare and accommodation are also planned to ensure strong international participation and meaningful business outcomes.

“Sri Lankan businesses must be bold, agile, and outward-looking amid evolving supply chains, rising sustainability expectations, and rapid digital transformation,” he said, highlighting the changing global trade landscape. 

He also said Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is designed to position the country as a reliable, competitive, and forward-looking trading partner.

“For exporters, the Expo offers a strategic opportunity to enter new markets, forge long-term partnerships, and move up the value chain. For international buyers and investors, it provides a platform to engage with Sri Lanka’s quality products, skilled workforce, and resilient business environment,” he added. 

He said the Expo will also showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural vibrancy through fashion shows, culinary showcases, and cultural performances, reinforcing the country’s brand alongside its commercial strengths.

The EDB Chief said the initiative closely aligns with the Government’s vision for export-led growth, industrial development, and entrepreneurship, reiterating the EDB’s commitment to turning policy into practical market access and long-term business growth. He expressed appreciation to the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry and all partner institutions for their leadership and support in making Sri Lanka Expo 2026 a reality.

Calling on stakeholders to actively engage with the initiative, he said Sri Lanka Expo 2026 aims to connect local enterprises with global opportunities and become a landmark event in the country’s economic transformation journey.

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, who is also the Steering Committee Chair, described Sri Lanka Expo 2026 as a strategic national initiative aligned with the country’s long-term industrial and entrepreneurial vision. 

She noted that the Expo supports Sri Lanka’s ambition to become a hub for global trade, innovation, and value addition, while strengthening international partnerships and showcasing the capabilities of local industries and entrepreneurs.

Jayasundara outlined ambitious national targets for the decade ahead, including increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP to 28% by 2030, raising merchandise export revenue to $ 28 billion, boosting manufacturing’s share of industrial output to at least 20%, and expanding land allocation for industry towards 1% to support new investments.

 

- Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe