Global & International Business
View all(53)📈 Sri Lanka Export Earnings Cross US$ 10 Bn in H1 2026
The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) commended Sri Lankan exporters as total export earnings surpassed US$ 10 Bn in the first half of 2026, based on provisional Central Bank data. • Overall Performance • Total export revenue rose 3.3% YoY to US$ 10.4 Bn in H1 2026. • Merchandise exports grew 6.3% YoY to US$ 6.9 Bn, offsetting a dip in services. • June 2026 total export revenue stood at US$ 1.66 Bn. • Key Sectors & Strategic Focus • High potential highlighted in the ICT/BPM sector to broaden the export basket with high-value digital services. • Priority areas for exporters include labor availability, digitalization of trade processes, export credit, access to finance, and policy consistency. • NCE member survey (275 respondents) reflects a combined annual turnover of US$ 3.07 Bn, underlining their vital role in national employment and economic stability. • Top Export Markets & Diaspora Linkages • Major export destinations include the United States, United Kingdom, India, Australia, the Maldives, and Germany, along with emerging markets across Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. • NCE is establishing a direct platform to connect overseas Sri Lankans with local exporters to expand market access.
SL-Maldives Business Council 18th AGM: MoU Signed to Boost Bilateral Trade & SME Growth 📈
• Bilateral Trade & Market Performance - Total SL-Maldives bilateral trade reached US$ 137 Mn (2025 SL exports: US$ 132 Mn; imports from Maldives: US$ 5 Mn). - SL’s share of Maldivian imports improved to 4.7% in 2025 (up from 4.4% in 2024), against total Maldivian imports of US$ 3.6 Bn in 2025 (up from US$ 2 Bn in 2016). • Key Sectors & Growth Opportunities - MoU signed between Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Maldives Business Chamber to drive private-sector B2B ties. - Focus on expanding SL enterprises and SMEs into hospitality, construction, renewable energy, education, digital transformation, healthcare, and professional services. - High potential identified to boost trade in tea (black tea & packaging), fresh fruit, vegetables, wheat flour, and electrical conductors. - Strategic efforts underway to position SL as a primary destination for Maldivian medical treatment under the Aasandha Scheme. • Labor Mobility & Financial Integration - Over 30,100 Sri Lankans are employed in the Maldives; Maldivian residents in SL stand at ~1,700. - Proposals submitted to establish a Bank of Maldives branch in Sri Lanka to enhance financial connectivity. - SLMBC and EDB to organize a dedicated Sri Lanka Pavilion at the 20th Hotel Asia Exhibition in Maldives (Sept 28–30, 2026).
📈 India’s Growth Drives Imperative for Sri Lankan Economic Reforms
• Strategic Alignment: Leaders and strategic thinkers at the Lanka India Business Association forum stressed that Sri Lanka must complete structural reforms to integrate into India's expanding supply chains, industrial partnerships, and technology networks. • FDI & Trade Landscape: India accounted for >50% of Sri Lanka’s inward FDI last year, backed by US$ 4.1 Bn in crisis assistance. However, high energy costs and unfair procurement practices remain major deterrents for foreign investors. • Proposed JETRO Industrial Corridor: A Japanese-proposed export corridor targeting electronics, mineral products, and rubber could boost Sri Lanka’s GDP by 9.3% by 2030 (and India’s by 1.28%) if key structural bottlenecks are solved. • Key Policy & Regulatory Reforms Needed: - Reducing minimum domestic value-addition requirements under ISFTA rules of origin from 35% to 25%. - Cutting process-level compliance barriers and lowering energy tariffs. - Modernizing public procurement to foster transparency and attract FDI. • Technology & Regional Integration: Leveraging initiatives like India's NASSCOM Disha program to mentor tech entrepreneurs in ICT/BPM and startups, using regional proximity as a core economic driver.
📈 India–Sri Lanka Textile Trade Forum Held in Colombo
The India–Sri Lanka Textile Trade Forum took place on 6 August 2026 at BMICH, Colombo, alongside the Intex Sri Lanka 2026 exhibition to strengthen bilateral supply-chain linkages. • Overall Event & Participation: Featured over 80 Indian exhibitors, Export Promotion Councils, and industry bodies showcasing capabilities across the textile value chain. Anchored by the special "Incredible Textiles of India" Pavilion, supported by PDEXCIL, TEXPROCIL, and MATEXCIL under India's Ministry of Textiles and Department of Commerce. • Key Industry Engagement: Addressed by Sri Lanka's Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and Deputy Industry Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, who highlighted trade and investment opportunities for Indian exporters in the local market. Brought together major Sri Lankan industry stakeholders, including the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), to foster business linkages. • Economic Context: Reaffirmed the apparel & textiles sector as a critical pillar of India–Sri Lanka economic relations, emphasizing deeper industry-to-industry partnerships and integration.
📈 India’s 'Viksit Bharat 2047' Vision: Key Economic & Strategic Insights for Sri Lanka
• Continuity in Development: Marking 80 years of independence, India’s drive toward Viksit Bharat 2047 reflects sustained national purpose across generations—shifting focus toward advanced manufacturing, digital public infrastructure, and technological innovation. • Regional Economic Ecosystem: A expanding Indian economy offers heightened regional integration, creating expanded opportunities for Sri Lanka’s tourism, exports, investment, and educational exchanges. • Bilateral Support & Regional Stability: India’s recent crisis assistance, disaster relief, and development in renewable energy and financial technology highlight its role as a regional economic anchor and stabilizer. • Policy Lessons for Sri Lanka: Ahead of Sri Lanka’s own 80th independence anniversary in 2028, India’s progress emphasizes long-term institutional vision over short electoral cycles, promoting economic diversification and strategic regional cooperation. • Note: Based on provisional commentary by the Pathfinder Foundation.
🇱🇰🇴🇲 Sri Lanka and Oman Advance Strategic Trade, Tech, and Economic Partnership
• Trade & Investment: Progressed negotiations on a Special Trading Arrangement to facilitate bilateral trade, boost private sector partnerships, and drive investment flows between both nations. • Digitalization & AI: Agreed to exchange expertise in public service automation and digital governance while fostering B2B partnerships between Omani firms and Sri Lanka's ICT/BPM startups. • Logistics & Connectivity: Prioritized establishing direct air cargo and maritime links, utilizing Oman as a regional transshipment hub and enhancing Indian Ocean maritime cooperation. • Diversification & Sectors: Targeted joint opportunities across tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and higher education aligned with Sri Lanka's economic transformation and Oman Vision 2040. • Labor & Employment: Focused on expanding skilled workforce mobility, accelerating a pending bilateral labor agreement, and protecting the welfare of ~28,000 Sri Lankans currently employed in Oman.
📈 Ceylon Chamber & Southern Gujarat Chamber Renew Partnership to Boost Sri Lanka–India Trade
• Key Agreement: The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colombo to deepen trade, investment, and commercial partnerships. Signed by Krishan Balendra (Chairperson, Ceylon Chamber) and Ashok Jirawala (President, SGCCI). • Sector Focus: - Apparel & Textiles: Exploring links between Gujarat suppliers and Sri Lanka's apparel manufacturing base, as well as garment accessories and industrial supply partnerships. - Gems & Jewellery: High interest in sourcing Sri Lankan sapphires/gemstones and connecting with local jewellery manufacturers, trade associations, and women entrepreneurs. - Technology & Investment: Facilitating cross-border opportunities in waste-to-energy solutions and digital technologies / IT. - Agri-Exports: Expanding two-way commercial trade in spices and processed food products. • Strategic Impact: Enhances business-to-business (B2B) networking, market information sharing, and access to new suppliers, technologies, and investment partners across Sri Lanka and Gujarat.
India Donates 500L Malathion for Sri Lanka’s Dengue Control 🦟🇱🇰
• Key Aid: India has gifted 500 litres of Technical Malathion to bolster Sri Lanka's national dengue control efforts. • Operational Focus: The supply will support large-scale fogging and spraying operations to curb adult vector mosquito populations in high-risk areas. • Public Health Impact: Strengthens vector control within the healthcare & public health sector, helping safeguard community well-being and workforce productivity.
📈 Sri Lanka Urged to Seize 'Once-in-a-Generation' Growth Opportunity from India
Key takeaways from the address by President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment Hanif Yusoof at the 'India Calling' forum: • Strategic Market Shift: Urges Sri Lankan businesses to treat India (1.4 Bn+ consumers) as a natural extension of the domestic market rather than an intimidating neighbour. • Targeted Expansion: Advises firms to focus on succeeding in single Indian states, cities, or consumer segments to rapidly scale operations. • Key Sectors & Hub Status: • Logistics & Manufacturing: Highlights Sri Lanka’s potential as a regional manufacturing, port, and logistics hub for Indian businesses seeking global reach. • Tourism: Calls to tap India’s growing middle class, positioning Sri Lanka as the top short-haul/weekend destination for wellness, dining, weddings, and wildlife. • Mutual Benefits: Encourages Indian investors to leverage Sri Lanka’s strategic geography, while urging Sri Lanka to attract a larger share of India’s expanding overseas investments.
🚀 EDB, IFC, and EU Launch 3rd ExpoScaleUp Cohort to Boost SME Exports
• Initiative Overview: The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), launched the 3rd cohort of the ExpoScaleUp programme under the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI). • Key Highlights: • A 4-day intensive programme brought together 25 high-potential SMEs to build market-oriented Export Marketing Plans with guidance from a Netherlands export specialist and EDB coaches. • Eligible graduates will gain global market exposure via the ExpoConnect component. • Track Record to Date: • Completed 2 cohorts supporting 50 SMEs since its launch in January 2025. • Helped 5 companies secure their first export orders. • Assisted 38 SMEs in securing international certifications, attending trade fairs, and gaining overseas market exposure. • Strategic Goal: Aims to build a pipeline of competitive export-ready SMEs to support Sri Lanka’s national target of US$ 36 Bn in export earnings by 2030.
🤝 Ceylon Chamber & Cochin Chamber Partner for Indo-Lanka Business Linkages
• Strategic Delegation: The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation from the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), India, on August 4, 2026, to promote direct private-sector engagement and commercial expansion between Sri Lanka and Kerala. • Sector Collaboration: Bilateral discussions and B2B networking highlighted direct trade and partnership potential across key economic sectors: - tea - logistics & shipping - export & import trade - hospital products & supplies - cold storage solutions - advertising & marketing • Regional Synergies: Beyond trade, both chambers focused on leveraging Kerala’s skilled human capital base alongside joint initiatives in investment, technology exchange, and business services to enhance regional integration.
📈 Sri Lanka Export Earnings Target US$ 19 Bn in 2026
On its 47th anniversary, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) announced key progress and strategic targets for the national export sector: • Performance & Targets: - H1 2026 Revenue: Generated nearly US$ 9 Bn in export earnings. - 2026 Target: On track to reach a record-breaking US$ 19 Bn by end of 2026. - 2030 Vision: Target of US$ 36 Bn (US$ 27 Bn from merchandise, US$ 8 Bn from services). - GDP & SME Contribution: Aiming for exports to contribute 25% to GDP by 2026, with SMEs contributing 25% of the total export sector. • Sector Diversification: - National Export Development Plan launched on June 16th focuses on 8 new high-potential sectors beyond traditional exports. - Notable growth observed in electronics, food & beverages, IT/BPM, and logistics. • Sri Lanka Expo 2027: - Set for Jan 14–17, 2027 at BMICH after a 15-year hiatus. - Features 650 selected exporters, 200+ stalls reserved for SMEs, and 1,500+ foreign buyers. - Includes the country's largest-ever Investor Forum on Jan 15 in collaboration with BOI, Ministry of Tourism, and Port City.