The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted the National SME Forum 2025, bringing together over 200 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from across the island along with key representatives from government bodies, international development partners, corporate leaders, and trade facilitation organisations. The event provided a vital platform for SMEs to forge connections, access practical support, and explore new domestic and international market opportunities.
Held under the theme “Scale Up”, this year’s forum focused on addressing the real-world challenges confronting Sri Lankan SMEs. Discussions covered a wide spectrum—from access to finance and digital transformation to navigating policy reform and integrating artificial intelligence (AI). A notable highlight was a dedicated session titled “Expanding into Export Markets: Opportunities Beyond Sri Lanka,” which enabled SMEs to engage directly with trade representatives from India, the UK, the EU, and the UAE.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, reaffirmed the critical role of SMEs in Sri Lanka’s economic development. “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective effort to strengthen one of the most vital segments of our economy,” he stated, outlining the Chamber’s strategic focus on Policy Advocacy, Engagement, and Market Access. He noted that the participation of SMEs from across the country underscored the national importance and inclusive nature of the initiative.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Shruti Gupta, Vice President and Head of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, India and South Asia at Visa, drew on global and regional trends in the SME landscape. “SMBs represent over 90% of global firms, 70% of employment, and up to 70% of GDP, yet they remain underserved and under-leveraged,” she said. Ms. Gupta emphasised the transformative potential of digital platforms, alternative financing, and embedded fintech solutions in enabling SMEs to scale and thrive globally.
Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, underscored the government's commitment to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and unlocking the full potential of the SME sector. “This forum is a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to uplift SMEs—the backbone of our economy,” he said.
Running parallel to the forum was a Business Matchmaking & Support Clinic, which facilitated direct interactions between SMEs and a range of stakeholders, including buyers, banks, chambers of commerce, and trade support organisations. The event showcased enterprises from diverse sectors such as tea, spices, ICT, wellness products, food and beverages, crafts, and eco-solutions.
The National SME Forum 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to elevate Sri Lanka’s SME sector, signaling a strong step toward global competitiveness and inclusive economic growth.
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