The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is enhancing its global outreach by expanding its network of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various international chambers of commerce and trade organizations. This initiative aims to present more avenues for Sri Lankan exporters to penetrate foreign markets, cultivate business collaborations, and engage in international trade activities.
To date, the NCE has formalized 21 MoUs with business entities from countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nepal, Qatar, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the Maldives. The most recent agreement involves the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which strengthens the NCE’s connections with one of Sri Lanka’s primary export destinations.
These collaborations facilitate various activities such as business-to-business (B2B) meetings, trade delegations across countries, and networking events, all designed to assist Sri Lankan exporters in discovering new markets and enhancing current business relationships. This framework enables local businesses to engage directly with members of international chambers.
In line with its commitment to fostering international relations, the NCE is organizing a business delegation to India, followed by another to Italy. This will allow members to leverage the partnerships formed with trade organizations in these nations.
The MoUs also serve as a means for sharing vital information regarding economic trends, market dynamics, foreign trade, investment policies, and other pertinent aspects of bilateral commerce. Additionally, partner organizations collaborate on disseminating information about symposiums, conventions, and other business-related events while facilitating participation in international trade fairs, exhibitions, and promotional events in their respective countries. The agreements further provide support for members traveling individually or as part of business delegations.
This expansion in international relations coincides with a notable increase in Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports to several of the countries involved in these partnerships. For instance, data from January to June 2026 indicates that exports to India surged by 36.16% year-on-year, totaling USD 688.47 million, making it Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market after the United States. Additionally, exports to Italy rose by 6.58%, reaching USD 337.20 million during the same period. Exports to China also grew by 19.56% to USD 159.22 million, while Australia saw a 9.89% increase to USD 135.86 million. Japan’s exports expanded by 15.74% to USD 104.20 million, and Belgium experienced a 4.72% rise, reaching USD 120.36 million.
In June 2026, India exhibited the most significant growth among Sri Lanka’s major export markets, with exports soaring by 156.73% compared to the same month the previous year. Exports to Türkiye also increased by 74.37%, and Mexico saw a growth of 42.86%, indicating ongoing opportunities in various international markets. Overall, Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports totaled USD 6.9 billion in the first half of 2026, reflecting a 6.3% growth, while total export earnings rose by 3.3% year-on-year to USD 10.4 billion during that timeframe.
Through its expanding network of global partnerships, the NCE is dedicated to collaborating with international chambers to create tangible business opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters and bolster their participation in global markets.
