The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully hosted the seventh iteration of the Provincial ExpoNavigator Programme on June 9-10, 2026, in Batticaloa. This initiative is part of the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2026.
Conducted under the EU’s regional initiative ‘Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS)’, the program is designed to boost the export capabilities and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), facilitating their entry into global markets.
Coinciding with International MSME Day 2026, the two-day gathering attracted nearly 100 entrepreneurs from the Eastern Province who are poised for export opportunities. Participants took part in informative sessions, technical consultations, and customized business advisory services aimed at preparing their businesses for international markets.
The ExpoNavigator Programme, a cornerstone of the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative, has successfully reached seven provinces: Western, North-Western, Northern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, and Eastern. Its focus is on identifying high-potential SMEs and linking them with necessary technical expertise, financial resources, and institutional support to enhance their export capabilities.
Despite the Eastern Province’s significant potential in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food processing, coconut products, spices, and manufacturing, it remains largely underrepresented in Sri Lanka’s export landscape, contributing to less than one percent of registered exporters. Presently, the province accounts for around 5% of the national GDP, highlighting both the potential for growth and the urgent need to bolster its contribution to reach an 8% goal by 2030.
Through interactive awareness sessions and a specialized Business Clinic, SMEs interacted directly with experts from the EDB and partner organizations regarding export readiness, product development, branding, packaging, quality standards, certification processes, market intelligence, and financing access. The clinic also served to pinpoint high-potential enterprises for ongoing, targeted assistance through SLEEI.
The initiative aligns with the objectives of Sri Lanka’s upcoming National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2029, which aims to broaden the exporter base, particularly among regional businesses, women-led enterprises, young entrepreneurs, and innovative SMEs. By providing export development services directly within the provinces, the ExpoNavigator Programme is fostering a more diverse, resilient, and inclusive export economy, while creating new opportunities for regional businesses to engage in global value chains.
The ExpoNavigator Programme in the Eastern Province underscores the ongoing dedication of the EDB, IFC, EU, and partner organizations to enhance regional entrepreneurship and expand Sri Lanka’s exporter base. Through strategic collaborations and focused capacity-building efforts, the program is nurturing a new wave of export-ready enterprises, contributing to inclusive economic growth and balanced regional development.
The opening session featured attendance from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDB, officials from the Batticaloa District Secretariat, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, representatives from IFC and EU, as well as various commercial banks and partner institutions, including ITI, IDB, NEDA, SEDD, Control Union Inspections Pvt. Ltd., and industry stakeholders. This strong collaboration highlights a collective effort to advance the regional SME ecosystem.
