Sri Lanka has officially introduced its National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period of 2026 to 2030, with a goal to achieve export revenues of USD 36 billion by the year 2030.
This initiative, which received Cabinet approval, was designed collaboratively by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development along with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The five-year plan aims to pivot Sri Lanka towards an economy driven by exports, positioning the nation as a competitive hub for logistics and knowledge-based industries.
During the launch event, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent policies and transparency moving forward. He noted that previous strategies have failed to reach their objectives. For instance, the National Export Strategy (NES) for 2018-2022 aimed for USD 28 billion in exports but only managed to achieve approximately USD 16 billion, primarily due to the impacts of the pandemic and economic challenges. Similarly, the 2011-2015 plan fell short of its USD 15 billion target, realizing only USD 10.5 billion in merchandise exports.
The new development plan emphasizes six cross-sector enablers alongside eight key sectors that are prioritized for rapid growth and value addition. These sectors include Auto Components, Mineral-Based Industries, Rubber-Based Industries, Marine-Based Industries, Spices & Concentrates, Digital Products & Services, Electrical & Electronic Components, and Processed Food & Beverages.
According to Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of the EDB, the initiative aims to enhance trade logistics, digitize customs procedures, and ensure quality compliance, all while empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to prepare for export activities. “We are launching a shared national commitment to building a strong, more competitive, and export-driven Sri Lankan economy,” Wijesinghe stated.
(Colombo/June 16/2026)
