Govt., CEOs align on new export roadmap to drive growth

The Government and leading private sector executives have begun shaping a new strategy to steer the country’s export sector, with a high-level forum bringing together business leaders and State officials to chart priorities for the coming years.

The “National Export Roadmap: The CEO Forum” was held last week at the Export Development Board (EDB) auditorium, bringing together Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers from across Sri Lanka’s private sector to review export performance in 2025 and agree on strategic goals for 2026 and beyond.

The event was held under the patronage of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi and organised by the EDB.

Addressing the gathering, Handunnetti said the Government intends to play a proactive role in strengthening the country’s export base by investing in the infrastructure required to support industrial growth.

He stressed that the Government is prepared to act as the “main investor” in developing the necessary industrial ecosystem to empower local businesses and exporters.

According to the Minister, improving the business environment remains a key priority. This includes modernising industrial zones, streamlining power supply and expanding access to technical facilities needed by manufacturers and exporters.

Handunneththi said such improvements are essential to enable entrepreneurs to compete more effectively in global markets and expand Sri Lanka’s export footprint.

He also asserted that sustainable economic progress cannot be achieved by the Government alone, noting that stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to driving export-led growth.

“The country’s economy can only be strengthened through the collective contribution of the public and private sectors,” he told the forum.

The discussions focused on assessing the export sector’s performance during 2025 and identifying opportunities to accelerate growth in key industries while improving competitiveness in international markets.

The forum helped establish a common understanding between policymakers and business leaders on the direction of Sri Lanka’s export development strategy for the coming years.

The event was attended by Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara and EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, along with a large number of senior representatives from Sri Lanka’s corporate sector.

Authorities expect the outcomes of the forum to feed into a broader national export roadmap aimed at boosting export earnings and strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in global trade,

source: FT