The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), under the patronage of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, successfully conducted the Regional Exporters Networking Forum on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Katugastota, Kandy.
The forum was organized with the objective of enhancing regional export capacities and fostering greater participation from exporters in the districts of Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kegalle in achieving the goals of the National Export Strategy.
Key objectives of the forum included:
Facilitating direct dialogue between regional exporters and government institutions and policy makers,
Providing a platform to discuss and seek solutions to challenges related to customs operations, legal and regulatory frameworks, and market access,
Enabling knowledge sharing and networking among exporters,
Supporting policy development based on the specific needs of regional export entrepreneurs.
A notable feature of the forum was the discussion on establishing a Regional Exporters Forum, which is expected to serve as a foundation for building a long-term regional export network. Through this initiative, it is anticipated that rural producers will gain better access to international markets, supply chains will be strengthened, and a more inclusive export ecosystem will be developed.
Distinguished guests at the event included Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Governor of the Central Province; Mr. G.H.M. Ajith Premasinghe, Chief Secretary of the Central Province; Mr. Indika Udawatta, District Secretary of Kandy; Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the EDB; Ms. Champika D. Dharmasena, Director General of the EDB; along with other senior officials from the EDB’s Central Provincial Office and a large number of exporters.
Speaking to the exporters, Hon. Minister Sunil Handunnetti stated that systematic solutions will be provided to address the challenges faced by exporters and that all necessary interventions will be made to provide the required facilities.
Further elaborating, the Minister stated, “The annual export growth in previous years was 1%. However, this year we expect growth between 8% and 10%. This is a significant difference. Accordingly, we need to reach the export target of US$ 36 billion over the next 5 years. Therefore, everyone’s contribution, attention and commitment are essential for this. Improving exports is a collective effort of all of us.”
This initiative is implemented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in alignment with the National Export Strategy and operates with the objective of creating regionally balanced and equitable export development.
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