The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has appointed 24 new Advisory Committees for the 2026–2029 period, aimed at strengthening the country’s export sector and supporting national export development goals.
Appointment letters were presented to the committee members at a ceremony held in Colombo on Wednesday (07), with Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti attending as the chief guest.
The 24 Advisory Committees have been established across three main categories, covering cross-sector development, priority export industries and other key export sectors.
Six committees will focus on cross-sector areas identified under the National Export Development Plan (NEDP), including trade logistics and hub operations, trade facilitation, trade finance and investment reforms, trade promotion and market links, quality management and standards, and skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Eight committees will cover priority export sectors, including auto components and engineering, mineral-based products, rubber-based industries, marine-based industries such as boat and shipbuilding, spices and concentrates, digital products and services, electrical and electronic components, and processed food and beverages.
The remaining 10 committees will focus on apparel, Ayurveda and herbal products, cosmetics, coconut-based products, construction and power energy services, gems and jewellery, organic products, ornamental fish, pharmaceuticals, seafood and aquaculture, and SME export development.
According to the EDB, members were selected from exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), private sector associations, relevant government institutions and industry experts based on their expertise and potential contributions to the respective sectors.
The appointments were made under Section 10(1) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979, which empowers the EDB to establish Advisory Committees to promote and develop export products and services.
The committees will contribute to the formulation of the EDB’s annual Action Plans, the National Export Development Plan and the National Export Policy, while supporting efforts to improve export performance.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Sunil Handunnetti emphasised the need to build on export growth achieved over the past two years and set new targets exceeding previous records.
He also stressed the importance of amending outdated laws and regulations that hinder exports and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to achieve national export targets.
Meanwhile, EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe briefed committee members on the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 and the upcoming Sri Lanka Expo 2027 international exhibition.
The NEDP, developed with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s business environment, diversify export products and support the country’s US$ 36 billion export target by 2030.
The EDB also launched its Export Performance Indicators 2025 publication during the ceremony. (Newswire)
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