Sri Lanka’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has strengthened its push into European markets following the successful participation of five local technology companies in a market exposure programme organised jointly by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and Import Promotion Desk (IPD).

The initiative, aimed at expanding Sri Lanka’s digital export footprint, provided participating firms with direct access to potential European buyers, investors, and innovation ecosystems across Germany and Sweden.

The programme commenced with participation at Hannover Messe, one of the world’s leading industrial and technology trade fairs, where the Sri Lankan delegation engaged in a series of pre-arranged business-to-business meetings with European companies. The discussions focused on opportunities in digital transformation, software development, enterprise technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging ICT solutions.

Following the event, the delegation travelled to Berlin for a series of ecosystem tours, workshops, keynote sessions, and networking engagements designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Europe’s technology landscape. A dedicated pitch and networking forum enabled Sri Lankan firms to interact with startups, investors, and industry specialists, creating new avenues for collaboration and market entry.

The exposure programme later extended to Stockholm, where participants gained insight into the Nordic innovation ecosystem through engagements at the Nordic Growth Summit and networking sessions hosted by Impact Hub. The delegation also attended meetings at Tech Arena and visited Nordea Bank, providing participants with first-hand exposure to regional fintech developments, enterprise solutions, and scaling opportunities within the European market.

According to the EDB, the initiative generated strong commercial and strategic outcomes, with participating companies securing high-quality business leads and initiating follow-up discussions for potential partnerships and collaborations across Germany and the Nordic region.

The programme also enabled companies to gain a deeper understanding of European market dynamics, including buyer expectations, business culture, and emerging demand trends in AI-driven and enterprise technologies. Industry officials noted that such exposure is expected to help Sri Lankan firms refine their market-entry strategies, validate product-market fit, and strengthen export readiness.

This marks the second collaboration between the EDB and IPD under the internationalisation initiative, underscoring the importance of sustained engagement in building long-term commercial relationships. Organisers highlighted a previous partnership between a Sri Lankan and German company that evolved into a commercial deal following the first edition of the programme, with the second engagement helping both parties expand cooperation further.

Officials noted that while meaningful business outcomes can take several months to materialise, consistent engagement and market presence are essential for achieving sustainable export growth in competitive international markets.

The EDB stated that it will continue supporting Sri Lankan ICT firms through targeted market-access initiatives and international exposure programmes as part of broader efforts to increase technology exports and strengthen the country’s global digital presence.