Sri Lanka’s EDB hosts workshop on developing ayurvedic, herbal cosmetic products for export
Ada Derana: The Export Agriculture Division of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with its Central Province Regional Office, successfully conducted an awareness workshop on the topic “Development of Ayurvedic and Herbal Cosmetic Products for Export Markets” at The Royal Mall Hotel – Kandy. This targeted initiative was aimed at empowering small and medium-scale Sri Lankan manufacturers and exporters in the ayurvedic, herbal, and cosmetic sectors.
Designed to build industry competencies, the workshop covered critical areas such as advanced manufacturing technologies, innovative packaging, value addition, market-oriented product development, effective use of herbal ingredients, and adherence to regulatory and international quality standards.
The event saw the participation of approximately 100 industry stakeholders who engaged actively in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on enhancing the global competitiveness of the industry. The key topics covered during the programme were: regulatory frameworks governing ayurvedic and herbal cosmetics, modern packaging strategies and value addition techniques, export market dynamics and international opportunities, digital marketing strategies to increase global visibility, and quality assurance and compliance mechanisms for domestic and export markets
Thushara Jayalath, Deputy Director – EDB Central Province Office, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the EDB’s commitment to fostering industry growth and innovation. The seminar featured a panel of esteemed resource persons who shared their expert insights with the participants, including Dr. K.P.N. Rangana, Medical Officer (Ayurveda National Hospital) – Department of Ayurveda, Jisna Kawshani, Assistant Pharmaceutical Assessor – National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Dr. Hasitha Wirathunga, Senior Scientist – Industrial Technology Institute, M.M.M. Riswi, Investigation Officer – Consumer Affairs Authority, and Dinidu Wathulanda, Manager – Digital Business Ecosystem – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
The EDB has planned two more awareness programmes to be held across the country in 2025. These initiatives will continue to support the Ayurveda and herbal cosmetic industry by promoting sustainable practices, enhancing regulatory understanding, and equipping local manufacturers with the tools needed for successful international market penetration. Through such collaborative efforts, the EDB remains committed to fostering sustainable growth and driving innovation within Sri Lanka’s rapidly emerging Ayurveda and herbal cosmetic products sector.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s exports industry is a steadily growing industry that has become a key revenue generator to the country. The many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed by the country with many foreign countries have helped boost the local exports industry. Local exporters have also paid attention to adding value to their export products while diversifying their export product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the foreign markets. All these have resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s exports industry and related sectors. The growth, profits and expansion recorded by local businesses in the exports industry and related sectors also indicate the increasing business potential in the industry. Given the lucrative nature of the opportunities in Sri Lanka’s exports industry and related sectors, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in the industry while also looking at further expansion through local collaborations.