Exporter groups focusing on information technology, food processing, spices, electronics, sea food as well as apparel, gem & jewelry sectors presented to the Sri Lanka’s Heads of Mission the industry profiles and strengths with a view to facilitate promotion of the respective sectors in overseas markets.

The Forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism had the key additional objective of connecting exporters with Sri Lanka Missions abroad as per the directive of the President at the January 2025 meeting of the Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM).

The hybrid forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Export Development Board (EDB) and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development presented detailed information on the unique selling points of the sectors and identified the specific challenges which need to be overcome to increase existing market share as well as to develop new markets.

Co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra and Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the Forum focused on diversification of Sri Lanka’s export basket as well as increasing its volume with the objective of achieving the country’s export target of USD 19 bn for 2025.

Highlighting the importance of market diversification, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra emphasized the need to expand the relatively narrow export basket and conveyed the commitment of government to support industry in this endeavour including the export-oriented SMEs and MSMEs.  He advised the Heads of Sri Lanka Missions to proactively contribute to this endeavor in partnership with the industry and agencies in Colombo.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe emphasized the importance of the Economic Agenda including investment and trade and pointed to the need to work diligently with all partners to achieve concrete results and provide analytical reports of the trends and opportunities for the need for local industries to adapt, adopt and be innovative and competitive.

Earlier, Ministry Secretary Aruni Ranaraja after welcoming the participants to the Forum emphasized the critical role Missions are required to play in economic initiatives including trade in goods.  She requested the Heads of Mission to continue placing strong emphasis on this pillar of activity with a dedicated Mission team.  Industry Ministry Secretary, Thilaka Jayasundara also addressed the Forum.

Chairman of EDB, Mangala Wijesinghe while appraising the participants of the current export sector performance, requested the support from Sri Lanka Missions in obtaining market information and addressing the issues faced by the Sri Lankan exporters including visa facilitation and resolving of trade disputes.  The EDB was instrumental in bringing the respective industry partners and Chambers to the discussion.

All Sri Lanka Heads of Mission, officials of the EDB and industry/sector representatives were part of the Forum.

The session is part of the series of hybrid interactions with the Sri Lanka Missions overseas and industry.  The IT and investment sectors were presented earlier this year.

Presenters included Board of Director of SLASSCOM, Shehan Selwanayagam; Director of Sri Lanka Electronic Manufactures’ Association, Gamini Ranasinghe; President of the Spice Council, P.L. Raj; President of the Seafood Exporters’ Association, Dilan Fernando; Former President of the Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association, Dhammika Gunasekara, JAAF and Gem & Jewelry Association.