The Export Plan Now Has More Hands
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has given its export plans more hands to work with, appointing members to 24 Advisory Committees for 2026–2029 while launching the Export Performance Indicators 2025.
The appointments and launch took place at a ceremony held yesterday at The Grand Maitland, Maitland Place, Colombo 07, with Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti as chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Handunnetti said Sri Lanka must build on the growth achieved across all export sectors during the past two years and move towards targets that go beyond its previous records.
He said outdated laws and regulations that hinder exports should be amended, while the public and private sectors must combine their strength and technical expertise to achieve the country’s export targets.
EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe briefed the newly appointed Advisory Committee members on the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030. He also gave a special briefing on Sri Lanka Expo 2027, the international exhibition planned to promote the country’s export capabilities.
Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, EDB Director General Erandika Dissanayake, Additional Director General (Development) Kumuduni Mudalige, other officials and a large gathering of Advisory Committee members attended the event.
The Advisory Committees are established under Section 10(1) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979. They support the development and promotion of products and services as well as functional areas of export trade.
The new members have been appointed for a three-year period from 2026 to 2029. They were selected from exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), private-sector associations, relevant government institutions and experts with experience in their respective fields.
The committees have played an important role in the work of the EDB, providing input for the Board’s annual Action Plans, the National Export Development Plan, the National Export Policy and other initiatives. Their expertise is also expected to help strengthen export performance and put the sector on a sustainable growth path.
Sri Lanka has set a national export target of US$36 billion by 2030, alongside a goal of diversifying its export product basket.
The NEDP 2026–2030 was formulated by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development in collaboration 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 programme.
The plan identifies strategies to strengthen the national business environment and advance export growth.
Of the 24 new Advisory Committees, six will focus on cross-sector enablers under the NEDP. These cover 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.
Another eight committees will 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.
The remaining ten committees will represent other key export sectors: 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.
With the new committees now in place, the EDB’s next export phase will bring together a wider group of industry voices as Sri Lanka works towards its US$36 billion export ambition for 2030.
