📈 Boosting Sri Lanka-UK Trade Bridges: London Forum Highlights

A high-level panel discussion hosted by the SLUKCC and the Sri Lanka High Commission in London focused on deepening bilateral economic ties and leveraging new trade frameworks. • Market Context: The UK remains Sri Lanka's second-largest export market. Discussions centered on utilizing the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers enhanced market access and relaxed Rules of Origin for apparel as of January 2026. • Economic Ambitions: BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath highlighted Sri Lanka’s goal of achieving nearly 7% economic growth by attracting high-quality investment, particularly in real estate and Colombo’s business districts. • Sector Focus: Key opportunities were identified in: • Apparel & Textiles: Benefiting from simplified trade rules. • ICT/BPM: Leveraging skilled labor and global technology services. • Tourism & Port City: Utilizing Sri Lanka’s strategic location as a gateway to Asia. • Upcoming Milestone: The Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is scheduled for June 18–21 in Colombo. The event aims to showcase export and investment opportunities to international delegations, with specific concessions for UK participants. • Strategic Outlook: The UK Trade Envoy emphasized the importance of modern value chains and government-business collaboration to unlock long-term commercial partnerships.