Sri Lanka Takes EXPO 2027 Investment and Export Opportunities to Thai Business Community
BANGKOK, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with Thailand ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, following a promotional and business networking session organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangkok to attract Thai buyers, investors and industry representatives to the upcoming international exhibition.
Held on October 7, the session brought together prospective Thai business representatives, investors, buyers, industry stakeholders and journalists to explore commercial opportunities linked to Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, scheduled for January 14–17, 2027, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
The initiative forms part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand international business engagement, create new export opportunities and attract investment by connecting local companies with potential overseas partners.
Strengthening bilateral commercial ties
Addressing participants, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, highlighted the importance of deepening the longstanding economic and commercial relationship between the two countries.
She invited Thai businesses to use the exhibition as a platform to identify new sourcing opportunities, establish commercial partnerships and explore investment prospects in Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador noted that EXPO 2027 would bring together Sri Lankan companies from a broad range of industries, allowing Thai buyers, investors and business leaders to engage directly with exporters and industry representatives through a single platform.
For Sri Lankan businesses, greater participation from Thailand could help widen access to overseas buyers, develop new distribution relationships and establish partnerships that support export growth.
Showcasing export and investment potential
Minister Counsellor (Commercial) of the Embassy, Shiwanthi Abeyrathne, delivered a presentation outlining the exhibition’s key sectors, registration and participation procedures, and opportunities available to international buyers and investors.
The presentation also covered the facilities and benefits offered to overseas participants, while highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical position and access to regional markets.
Organisers positioned the exhibition as an opportunity for Thai companies seeking new suppliers, commercial collaborators and potential investment destinations. The event is expected to provide a common platform for businesses to identify prospective partners and explore opportunities for longer-term commercial engagement.
Promotional videos featuring Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, local products, industries and investment opportunities were also screened, giving participants an overview of the range of businesses and sectors expected to be represented.
Business networking opens avenues for partnerships
Following the presentations, participants engaged in an interactive networking session with the Ambassador and Embassy representatives, discussing potential areas of cooperation with Sri Lankan businesses.
The Embassy also responded to practical questions concerning participation in the exhibition, including registration and opportunities available to overseas buyers and investors.
According to the Embassy, the response from participants reflected growing interest within the Thai business community in exploring commercial opportunities in Sri Lanka.
The networking component was intended to move beyond general promotion by enabling direct discussions between Thai stakeholders and Sri Lankan representatives, potentially laying the groundwork for sourcing agreements, investment discussions and business-to-business partnerships.
Targeted outreach ahead of January 2027
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok said it would continue targeted engagement with Thai businesses, chambers of commerce, industry associations, buyers, investors and other stakeholders in the lead-up to the exhibition.
The objective is to increase Thai participation at EXPO 2027 while creating additional channels for bilateral trade, investment, sourcing and commercial cooperation.
For Sri Lanka, the exhibition offers an opportunity to showcase domestic industries to international markets and strengthen links between exporters and overseas buyers. The level of commercial engagement generated by the event will be important in determining how effectively those connections translate into sustained business relationships.
With preparations continuing ahead of the January exhibition, Sri Lanka’s promotional campaign in Thailand represents part of a broader effort to position the country as a destination for international business partnerships and investment.
