Sri Lanka aims to surpass $ 36 billion in export earnings by 2030, says Minister
The Morning: Sri Lanka aims to increase its total export earnings beyond $ 36 billion by 2030, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said during a virtual meeting on 31 July with the Department of Commerce’s Commercial Officers serving at Sri Lanka’s Foreign Missions abroad.
The meeting was held to review ongoing activities and discuss strategic priorities for further strengthening the promotion of Sri Lanka’s trade, investment, tourism, and skilled employment opportunities in support of the Government’s economic development agenda.
Addressing the Commercial Officers of the Department of Commerce currently serving in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Missions across 23 commercially important markets, the Minister underscored their vital role in advancing Sri Lanka’s trade and broader economic interests in international markets, according to the ministry.
He emphasised the importance of delivering measurable results through market development, export promotion, investment facilitation, and stronger international business engagement. The minister also encouraged the officers to continue aligning their activities with the National Export Development Plan (NEDP), including the target of increasing Sri Lanka’s total exports to over $ 36 billion by 2030.
The minister further emphasised the importance of mobilising greater international participation in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, expanding market access for Sri Lankan products and services, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred tourism destination, and identifying opportunities for skilled overseas employment, the ministry stated.
The virtual meeting was attended by Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Additional Secretary (Trade and Research) Gilma Dahanayake, Acting Director General of Commerce Somasena Mahadiulwewa, senior ministry officials, heads of divisions and Commercial Officers serving in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Missions.
During the meeting, each Commercial Officer briefed the Minister on activities undertaken to date and outlined planned programmes for the remainder of the year to promote trade, investment, tourism, and employment opportunities in their respective countries of accreditation.
The meeting concluded with a decision to hold regular performance review meetings to monitor progress, share best practices, and further strengthen Sri Lanka’s commercial engagement in international markets.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ambition to increase total export earnings beyond $36 billion by 2030 highlights the growing opportunities for foreign businesses and investors in the country’s export sector. The Sri Lankan Government’s renewed focus on trade promotion across 23 commercially important markets signals an effort to expand Sri Lanka’s global market presence, diversify export products and attract investment into export-oriented industries. For foreign businesses/investors, opportunities exist across established sectors such as apparel, tea, spices, rubber and coconut products, as well as emerging areas including processed foods, technology services, electronics, logistics, renewable energy and other value-added industries. With its strategic location, skilled workforce and access to major regional and international markets, Sri Lanka has the potential to develop further as an export and manufacturing hub. Increased foreign investment could provide the capital, technology and market access needed to move the country higher up the global value chain while supporting its ambitious export growth target. Foreign businesses/investors could also look at expanding into Sri Lanka’s export sector through partnerships or joint ventures with local entities that have already recorded growth and profits in the export sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260810Z_4 |