The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), operating under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, serves as the national authority for promoting and facilitating exports from Sri Lanka. Recognized globally for its strategic trade facilitation efforts, EDB plays a central role in organizing international exposure for Sri Lankan products and services through its official participation in global trade fairs under the “Sri Lanka Pavilion” banner.
Core Business
Established in 1979, the EDB’s mandate includes enhancing export competitiveness, supporting market diversification, fostering innovation, and creating global business opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters. The organization operates as a one-stop national export promotion agency and has been instrumental in connecting Sri Lankan businesses to international buyers and trade networks.
One of its core promotional strategies is organizing and managing Sri Lanka Pavilions at international trade fairs across multiple sectors including food & beverage, apparel, ICT, wellness, tea, and spices.
Product and Service Offerings
Through its international pavilions, the EDB delivers the following key services:
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Trade Promotion
- Representation of Sri Lankan companies at leading trade events worldwide
- Booth design, branding, and national showcase coordination
- B2B matchmaking and on-site buyer engagement
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Export Development
- Technical guidance, capacity building, and training for SMEs and exporters
- Market intelligence and trade data dissemination
- Product development and packaging assistance for target markets
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Investment Promotion
- Attracting foreign investment into key export sectors
- Facilitating joint ventures and technology transfer
Notable events include participation at IFE London, Gulfood Dubai, Canton Fair China, BioFach Germany, Foodex Saudi, and CISMEF China, representing diverse sectors like Ceylon tea, spices, coconut products, gems, and ICT services.
Specialisation and Core USP
The EDB’s core strength lies in its ability to offer country-level branding and unified representation of Sri Lanka’s export strengths. Each Sri Lanka Pavilion is meticulously curated to highlight the heritage, innovation, and quality of Sri Lankan goods and services.
Key USPs include:
- Access to government-subsidized pavilions for eligible exporters
- Strong B2B facilitation mechanism through foreign missions and trade attachés
- Emphasis on showcasing GI-tagged Sri Lankan products (e.g., Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon)
- Promotion of sustainable and ethically sourced product lines
- Sector-specific promotion with multilingual support
Financials
As a government agency, EDB operates with a public budget allocated annually by the Government of Sri Lanka and supplemented by international trade development partnerships. Key highlights include:
- Annual government budget allocation: LKR 1.5 billion+ (approx. USD 4.5 million)
- Over 200 companies facilitated through pavilions annually
- Trade fair participation in 25+ international events per year
Shipment and Trade Data
EDB-supported sectors form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s export economy. The country reported total merchandise exports of USD 13.07 billion in 2023, according to Sri Lanka Customs, with EDB playing a key role in:
- Facilitating exports from 5,800+ active registered exporters
- Supporting sectors including tea (USD 1.3B), spices & concentrates (USD 407M), coconut products (USD 817M), and ICT/BPM (USD 1.2B)
- Driving new market entries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific
Target Market
The Sri Lanka Pavilion initiative is aimed at:
- International importers, wholesalers, and retail chains
- Foreign investors seeking partnerships in Sri Lanka’s export sectors
- B2B buyers looking for certified, ethically sourced, and competitively priced products
- Event organizers and international trade show platforms
Capabilities
- Global trade show planning and logistics management
- End-to-end support for Sri Lankan exporters including onboarding, documentation, booth setup, and promotion
- Collaboration with trade chambers, export councils, and sector associations
- National branding campaigns in key markets
Certifications and Compliance
EDB facilitates exporters in acquiring international compliance and certifications:
- Fair Trade, HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS, Halal, Kosher, and USDA Organic
- GI Certifications (Geographical Indications) for native products like:
- Ceylon Cinnamon
- Ceylon Tea
- Ruhunu Black Pepper
EDB also supports participation in internationally accredited buyer-seller forums ensuring compliance with sustainability and traceability requirements.
Customer Testimonials
Exporters frequently credit the EDB for enhancing their global visibility:
- “Our participation in Anuga under the Sri Lanka Pavilion led to long-term export contracts in Germany and the Netherlands.” – Organic Food Exporter, Kandy
- “The matchmaking service provided at Gulfood helped us secure our first buyer from Saudi Arabia.” – Coconut Product Manufacturer, Galle
- “EDB training and pavilion exposure elevated our packaging and branding to meet global standards.” – Spice Exporter, Matale
Major Achievements
- Coordinated Sri Lanka’s representation at Expo 2020 Dubai, resulting in a 30% increase in MENA inquiries for Sri Lankan exporters
- Launched eMARKETPLACE initiative to digitize trade leads from pavilion participants
- Expanded pavilion support to include ICT, wellness, and educational services
- Facilitated over USD 300 million in direct export leads through trade fair participation between 2021–2023
- Recognized by ITC Geneva and UNESCAP for pioneering SME-focused trade promotion frameworks in South Asia
The Sri Lanka Pavilion, under the stewardship of the EDB, remains a dynamic force in showcasing Sri Lanka’s export excellence to the world—bridging culture, commerce, and collaboration across continents.
