FCCISL and Department of Commerce Step Up Coordination to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target
Department of Commerce consultation with trade chambers and industry associations
COLOMBO, October 12, 2026 — The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Department of Commerce are strengthening cooperation on export promotion, trade facilitation and international market access as Sri Lanka seeks to increase annual export earnings to US$36 billion by 2030.
The partnership was discussed at a high-level consultation convened by the Department of Commerce at the request of the Ministry responsible for trade, bringing together leading chambers of commerce and industry associations to assess international trade developments and identify measures to improve the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exporters.
Acting Director General of Commerce Somasena Mahadiulwewa emphasised that achieving the Government’s export target would require coordinated action by public institutions, exporters, business chambers and Sri Lankan Commercial Officers serving overseas.
The discussions focused on preserving preferential market access, responding to changing international trade regulations, strengthening export compliance and expanding commercial opportunities in key overseas markets.
Preferential market access remains critical to exporters
Department of Commerce data presented at the consultation showed that preferential trade arrangements supported 41.35% of Sri Lanka’s exports in 2025, with the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) remaining the largest such scheme.
Participants highlighted the importance of protecting existing preferential access while improving the utilisation of trade agreements to expand exports and strengthen Sri Lankan businesses’ position in international markets.
The consultation also underscored the need for exporters to adapt to increasingly stringent product standards, traceability requirements and regulatory changes across major destinations.
FCCISL Secretary General Thilan Wijesinghe called for a comprehensive strategy to help Sri Lankan food producers, exporters and testing institutions comply with emerging international requirements, particularly regulations affecting products entering European markets.
He emphasised the need for regulatory engagement, infrastructure development and technical capacity-building across food production, packaging and testing to minimise Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in Sri Lankan food products exported to Europe and other markets, in preparation for new European Union requirements expected to take effect in January 2027.
Improving compliance capacity will be important for protecting market access and reducing the risk of regulatory barriers affecting Sri Lankan food exports.
US tariff developments put trade credibility in focus
The meeting also reviewed recent tariff changes in the United States, ongoing government engagement concerning reciprocal tariffs and the importance of maintaining Sri Lanka’s credibility as a trading partner.
Chambers and exporters were encouraged to strengthen rules-of-origin verification, due diligence and monitoring mechanisms to prevent trade circumvention, particularly in non-preferential exports and the issuance of Certificates of Origin.
These measures are intended to support the integrity of Sri Lankan exports and reduce the risk of businesses facing scrutiny or restrictions because of inadequate documentation or non-compliance with destination-market requirements.
For exporters, stronger verification procedures and more effective coordination with relevant authorities could become increasingly important as international trade policies and tariff arrangements evolve.
China initiative offers new commercial opportunities
Participants were also briefed on proposed cooperation with Yunnan Province in China under the “Three Free and Three Facilitations” initiative, which is intended to improve access to Chinese commercial platforms and facilitate trade between the two markets.
The proposal includes 2,000 square metres each of free bonded-warehouse space and exhibition space, alongside free access to online and e-commerce platforms.
It also envisages facilitation for logistics, customs clearance for fresh and perishable goods, and preferential freight services.
A delegation from Yunnan is expected to visit Sri Lanka to advance discussions on implementation.
If successfully operationalised, the initiative could provide Sri Lankan businesses with additional channels to showcase products, improve access to distribution networks and explore opportunities in the Chinese market. Its commercial value will depend on implementation arrangements, participating businesses and the ability to translate the proposed facilities into sustained trade.
Chambers urged to align overseas promotion with exporters’ needs
The Department of Commerce invited chambers to submit their proposed overseas promotional activities for 2027, agreements with counterpart chambers and requests for government support.
The submissions are expected to help align the programmes of Sri Lankan Commercial Officers overseas with exporters’ priorities and identify opportunities for more targeted trade promotion.
The Department also indicated that regular consultations with chambers would continue, creating a platform for businesses to raise market-access concerns, identify sector-specific obstacles and contribute to trade policy discussions.
Addressing FCCISL’s district, regional and sectoral chambers and associations, State Affairs Committee Director and Chairman Ruwan De Silva urged members to prepare businesses for changing market requirements and strengthen the flow of practical recommendations through the chamber network.
He said regional and sectoral organisations should identify barriers affecting their industries and submit targeted trade-promotion proposals through FCCISL to help businesses across Sri Lanka participate more effectively in international markets.
The meeting was attended by Acting Directors of Commerce Chandima Abeyrathna and Yoshitha Jayasooriya, Head of Rules of Origin Jagath Abeywarna, Head of Trade Promotion Charitha Yattogoda, and other government officials, chamber representatives and industry stakeholders.
The consultation highlights the growing importance of public-private coordination in Sri Lanka’s export strategy. Delivering the US$36 billion target by 2030 will require not only broader market access but also stronger regulatory compliance, effective trade facilitation and sustained engagement between government agencies and businesses.
