Sri Lanka has launched stakeholder consultations to prepare the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2025–2029, a strategic blueprint aimed at boosting the country’s export competitiveness and driving long-term economic growth.
The initiative, led by the Export Development Board (EDB) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was inaugurated today at the EDB headquarters in Colombo. The process brings together representatives from government, the private sector, industry associations, and development partners.
The NEDP, identified as a priority in the 2025 Budget, is being developed under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development’s Policy-Based Lending program. It is scheduled for completion by November 2025.
Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe highlighted the plan’s role in positioning Sri Lanka more competitively in global markets. EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe delivered the welcome address, while Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara and ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono stressed the importance of collaboration in shaping the plan.
Building on lessons from the previous National Export Strategy (2018–2022), the new plan will focus on three core goals: enhancing trade competitiveness, expanding regional and global linkages, and promoting sustainable, trade-led growth.
As part of the consultation program running from October 2–10, 2025, the EDB has scheduled eight Focus Group Discussions, a Technical Committee Meeting, and a Regional Consultation Workshop, followed by two validation workshops in Colombo in November.
Day one of discussions centered on trade logistics and facilitation, with participants examining bottlenecks in Sri Lanka’s export ecosystem and potential solutions amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Through the process, stakeholders will work to identify priority sectors, strengthen trade ties with emerging markets, address systemic challenges, and finalize policy pathways for implementation.
Senior officials in attendance included K.A. Wimalendraraja, Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and senior representatives from the EDB.
Completion of the NEDP is expected to mark a significant step in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery strategy, with exports set to play a central role in driving sustainable growth over the next five years.
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