EDB export-led growth path to 2030 took centre stage as policymakers and institutional leaders convened in Colombo to align strategy, policy, and data-driven planning aimed at transforming Sri Lanka’s export sector and strengthening long-term economic resilience.
EDB export-led growth path to 2030 outlined at consultative forum
Sri Lanka’s export ambitions received renewed focus as the Export Development Board convened the National Consultative Forum on the Strategic Export Development Roadmap 2026–2030 at its head office, bringing together senior government officials and institutional leaders to align priorities around export-led economic transformation.
As the country’s apex export promotion agency, the EDB is currently formulating a National Export Development Plan to guide growth over the next five years. Central to this effort is an ambitious target of generating 36 billion dollars in export revenue by 2030, a milestone viewed as critical to strengthening external balances, supporting macroeconomic stability, and sustaining long-term development.
The forum was designed to create awareness among key policymakers on the proposed roadmap while securing cross-sector collaboration essential for execution. Discussions emphasised that achieving export targets will require coordinated institutional action rather than isolated policy interventions.
EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe presented the National Export Development Roadmap, outlining its strategic priorities, sectoral focus areas, and the institutional reforms needed to enhance competitiveness. He highlighted the importance of diversifying export markets, increasing value addition, and strengthening the overall export ecosystem through collaboration between government and industry.
Wijesinghe stressed that Sri Lanka’s future export success depends on moving beyond volume-driven growth toward higher-value, market-responsive products and services. This shift, he noted, must be supported by policy coherence, improved trade facilitation, and targeted support for priority sectors with global demand potential.
Providing a broader macroeconomic perspective, Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe addressed the forum, underscoring the central role of export growth in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and future stability. He highlighted how sustained export expansion can help restore confidence, strengthen foreign exchange inflows, and reduce vulnerabilities in the external sector.
According to Weerasinghe, aligning export strategy with macroeconomic reforms is essential to ensure that growth remains sustainable and inclusive. He noted that a predictable policy environment and disciplined institutional coordination are critical to attracting investment and supporting exporters over the medium term.
The importance of a whole-of-Government approach was reinforced by contributions from Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. They collectively emphasised that transforming the export ecosystem requires strong inter-ministerial coordination, aligned incentives, and effective public-private partnerships.
Speakers highlighted that exports cannot be developed in isolation and must be supported by reforms in areas such as digitalisation, logistics, skills development, and access to finance. Institutional alignment, they noted, will be a decisive factor in achieving the roadmap’s objectives.
A key highlight of the forum was the official launch of the Export Performance Indicator, a new data-driven tool designed to support evidence-based decision-making across both public and private sectors. The tool aims to improve monitoring, policy formulation, and strategic planning by providing timely insights into export performance and sectoral trends.
Officials noted that the Export Performance Indicator will help bridge information gaps, enabling institutions and businesses to respond more effectively to changing global market conditions. By grounding decisions in data, the initiative is expected to enhance accountability and improve outcomes across the export value chain.
The forum also served as a platform to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2026, the country’s flagship international trade exhibition scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 June 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo. The Expo is expected to showcase Sri Lanka’s export capabilities, investment opportunities, and cultural diversity to an international audience, supporting market access and global visibility.
Strong institutional participation underscored the significance of the consultative process. Chief Adviser to the President on the Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya joined more than 150 senior government officials and heads of public institutions at the event, reflecting broad-based commitment to shaping the country’s export future.
The EDB stated that the consultative forum marks a critical step toward building a cohesive, data-driven, and globally competitive export framework. With aligned policy direction and institutional engagement, the EDB export-led growth path to 2030 is positioned as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s medium-term economic strategy, aimed at delivering sustained growth, higher value creation, and greater resilience in an increasingly competitive global trade environment.