Sri Lanka’s ICT sector strengthened its foothold in Japan following a high-impact business promotion programme held alongside Japan IT Week 2026 in Tokyo, generating over 300 business leads and an estimated future pipeline exceeding USD 2 million.

A delegation of 10 Sri Lankan ICT companies participated in a series of pre-event engagements and networking activities aimed at market entry and partnership building. The programme began with business briefings and site visits, including exposure to Japan’s corporate support ecosystem through sessions with Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support and visits to modern shared office facilities developed by Nomura Real Estate Development.

A key early milestone was a B2B matchmaking forum organised with the support of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan and the Export Development Board, enabling direct engagement between Sri Lankan and Japanese firms.

Delegates also explored Japan’s innovation ecosystem through visits to startup hubs and participation in an AI-focused exhibition at the Tokyo International Forum, alongside industry seminars on market entry strategies. Networking sessions with startup communities further deepened commercial links.

The main highlight was the Sri Lanka Pavilion at Japan IT Week 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight, where firms showcased their capabilities, held over 100 business meetings, and engaged with global stakeholders. A separate networking reception in Ginza facilitated regional collaboration with other international delegations.

According to organisers, the initiative successfully supported market entry efforts, strengthened business networks, and created multiple partnership and joint venture prospects. The programme is expected to translate into tangible export growth and long-term collaboration in the Japanese ICT market.

The initiative, led by the Export Development Board with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other stakeholders, marks a significant step in advancing Sri Lanka–Japan digital cooperation and expanding the global reach of Sri Lanka’s ICT industry