Sri Lanka Expo 2026 has been officially launched as a flagship international trade exhibition designed to elevate the country’s export presence and investment appeal. The event aims to connect local exporters with global buyers while positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive regional trade hub.
Sri Lanka Expo 2026 highlights export strength and investor confidence
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) formally announced the launch of Sri Lanka Expo 2026 on January 9, marking a significant step in the country’s long-term export and investment strategy. The exhibition, scheduled to take place from June 18 to 21, 2026, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, is expected to draw substantial international attention to Sri Lanka’s trade capabilities.
Alongside the announcement, the official exhibition website was unveiled, enabling both local exhibitors and foreign buyers to register digitally. This move reflects a broader effort to modernise trade promotion and streamline global engagement with Sri Lanka’s export sector.
The launch ceremony was held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo, under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti. The event brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, and representatives from international organisations, highlighting the strategic importance attached to the exhibition. Several cabinet and deputy ministers, ministry secretaries, and institutional heads were also present, signalling strong inter-ministerial support for the initiative.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Handunnetti described Sri Lanka Expo 2026 as more than a conventional exhibition, emphasising its role as a structured platform for international market access. He noted that the event is designed to bring together policy direction, export-ready products, and skilled human capital in a way that creates measurable business outcomes. According to the minister, the exhibition aligns with national efforts to strengthen export competitiveness and deepen global trade relationships.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe, highlighted the practical value of the exhibition for both exporters and overseas stakeholders. He stated that the expo offers Sri Lankan businesses an opportunity to move into higher-value markets while enabling international buyers and investors to directly engage with the country’s manufacturing base, services sector, and entrepreneurial talent. He also underscored Sri Lanka’s resilience as a trading partner in a challenging global economic environment.
Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is expected to host approximately 750 local exporters and around 1,500 international buyers, investors, and media representatives. The scale of participation reflects the organisers’ ambition to position the event as one of South Asia’s most comprehensive trade showcases. By bringing together decision-makers from multiple markets, the exhibition aims to facilitate meaningful commercial linkages rather than one-off promotional interactions.
A central objective of the exhibition is to build sustained confidence in Sri Lanka’s export capacity while supporting the country’s target of achieving USD 36 billion in exports by 2030. The expo is also intended to reinforce Sri Lanka’s image as a reliable trade and investment destination at a time when global supply chains are increasingly seeking diversification and stability.
The industrial export segment of the exhibition will present a wide range of sectors, including apparel and textiles, gems and jewellery, boat building, engineering and automotive components, rubber and polymer products, electrical and electronic goods, lifestyle and handicraft items, pharmaceuticals, and mineral-based products. This breadth is designed to demonstrate the depth and diversity of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and value-added production capabilities.
Agricultural exports will form another major pillar of Sri Lanka Expo 2026, featuring tea, spices, coconut-based products, fisheries, processed food and beverages, ayurvedic and herbal products, cut flowers, ornamental fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables. These sectors continue to play a critical role in the country’s export earnings and brand recognition in international markets.
In addition, the exhibition will spotlight export services, including information and communication technology and business process management, maritime and offshore services, logistics, construction, renewable energy, wellness, and healthcare services. The inclusion of services reflects the evolving structure of Sri Lanka’s export economy and its growing emphasis on knowledge-based industries.
Beyond product showcases, Sri Lanka Expo 2026 will feature an investor forum, industry-focused discussions, and structured business-to-business meetings aimed at converting interest into tangible partnerships. Fashion presentations by Sri Lankan designers, culinary demonstrations of local cuisine, cultural performances, and live product showcases are also planned to provide international delegates with a holistic view of the country’s commercial and cultural identity.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and Sri Lankan Airlines are supporting the event as official partners, further strengthening its international reach and professional execution. With comprehensive planning and strong institutional backing, Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is positioned to become a milestone event in the country’s trade promotion calendar.