Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Name

Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Legal name

Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Website

https://srilankabusiness.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Export Promotion and Trade Development Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAMAC

Export Promotion & Market Access Support

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

SECONDARYBPADABAO

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Bilateral Development Agencies & Aid Programs

Keywords

• Export promotion services
• Trade facilitation services
• Exporter capacity building
• Trade policy guidance
• Market intelligence reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Export Promotion Services: EDB provides trade facilitation, market intelligence, exporter capacity building, and export promotion services as Sri Lanka's apex export development organization. Revenue is derived from government budgetary allocations and service fees for training programs, publications, and trade show participation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) provides export promotion, trade facilitation, market intelligence, and exporter capacity-building services for Sri Lankan businesses seeking to scale globally. It operates digital platforms including the eMarketplace (B2B/B2C trading platform), Exporters' Directory (verified database), and Trade Statistics Platform, alongside certification services (Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Logo, NOCU) and participation support at international trade shows. EDB also implements strategic initiatives such as the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030, New Exporter Development Programme, and SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub for women entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) operates a comprehensive export promotion ecosystem rather than a single software product. The core platform consists of the eMarketplace (digital B2B/B2C trading platform), Exporters' Directory (verified company database), and EDB Buyer Search service. These are supported by trade promotion services including Trade Shows, Trade Statistics Platform, and Market Intelligence. EDB administers capacity-building programs including the New Exporter Development Programme, Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme, SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, and ExpoNavigator Programme. Additionally, EDB manages certification programs including Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Logo Certification and National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), along with investment resources through Model Project Reports and Feasibility Studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• eMarketplace Sri Lanka's digital B2B and B2C platform for high-quality export products. Enables global buyers to browse, inquire, and source directly from Sri Lankan suppliers in a secure, government-backed environment.
• Exporters' Directory Comprehensive, verified database of Sri Lankan export companies across sectors. Registered exporters gain global exposure, credibility, and direct access to international buyers with priority notifications about trade missions and assistance programs.
• EDB Buyer Search Service that helps Sri Lankan exporters find international buyers. Processing takes 1-2 days to evaluate applications and search for buyer information as per requirements.
• Trade Shows Platform EDB organizes and supports Sri Lankan participation in major international trade shows, creating high-visibility pavilions across key industries. Connects exporters with global buyers for deal-making and networking.
• Trade Statistics Platform Online trade statistic platform providing export performance reports, trade statistics, and economic data to help exporters make informed decisions.
• Market Intelligence Comprehensive market intelligence reports including country-specific, sector-specific, economic-specific, and customized market analysis for Sri Lankan exporters.
• Export Training Services Training programs including Certificate Course in Import and Export Procedures and Course on Operational Aspects of International Trade to build exporter capacity.
• New Exporter Development Programme National programme to nurture new entrepreneurs to become exporters, contributing to national export target of USD 37 billion in 2032. Includes training, market exposure, and B2B meetings.
• Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme Programme to increase women entrepreneurs' participation in international trade through product development, market development, and capacity building activities. Includes EDB-SLASSCOM She Export Programme for ICT-BPO sector.
• SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub Initiative to strengthen women entrepreneurs and SME exports, particularly to the UK market. Provides Sinhala and Tamil export handbooks and organizes export readiness workshops.
• ExpoNavigator Programme SME capacity building program implemented by EDB, IFC, and EU to strengthen export readiness of Eastern Province SMEs, organized parallel to World MSME Day 2026.
• Model Project Reports Investment opportunity reports including Production of Centrifuged Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Based Confectionary, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, De-Colorized Coconut Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Rice Pasta, Seabass Cultivation, and Seaweed Cultivation.
• Presidential Export Awards Annual awards recognizing Sri Lankan exporters for performance and contribution to strengthening Sri Lanka's presence in global export markets.
• Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Logo Certification Premier certification trademark for finest Ceylon Cinnamon. License can be used on consumer cinnamon packs and value-added products manufactured in Sri Lanka including powder, paste, oils, oleoresins, and extracts.
• National Organic Control Unit (NOCU) Unit under EDB for monitoring all organic-related activities including cultivation, processing, trading, certification, laboratory testing, import and export to ensure credible organic agriculture value chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Export target of $36 billion by 2030 under NEDP 2026-2030
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Asian Development Bank (ADB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026ADB collaborated with EDB to develop and launch the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030, marking a revamp of the previous 2018-2022 National Export Strategy. The partnership addresses coordination failures among 40-50 implementing institutions and sets an export target of $36 billion by 2030.
• Import Promotion Desk (IPD) GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted joint workshop on costing and pricing for the natural ingredients sector to improve competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs in the EU market. IPD provides technical guidance on pricing, product documentation, and market standards as part of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) support.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICA partnered with EDB to facilitate Sri Lankan ICT companies' participation at Japan IT Week 2025, one of Asia's most prominent technology exhibitions. Ten leading Sri Lankan ICT companies showcased products and solutions under the Sri Lanka Pavilion through this EDB-JICA partnership.
• Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBI is listed as an information partner providing EU market reports and supporting Sri Lankan exporters' entry into European markets through capacity building and market intelligence.
• International Trade Centre (ITC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an information partner supporting trade facilitation and market development for Sri Lankan exporters through technical assistance and market intelligence.
• Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDB-SLASSCOM She Export Programme focuses on developing export-oriented women entrepreneurs in the ICT-BPO sector through capacity building, mentoring, and identification of suitable entrepreneurs for international trade missions.
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanCham established office in Colombo, Sri Lanka to coordinate regional economic activities and foster economic cooperation between Canada and Sri Lanka.
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJETRO served as key supporting partner for Sri Lanka Business Forum and Networking Session at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan organized by EDB and Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE): Malaysia's national export promotion agency with an almost identical mandate: facilitating Malaysian exporters' entry into global markets through trade shows, buyer matchmaking, market intelligence, and a B2B platform. Same institutional design as EDB.
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO): Already a partner of EDB, JETRO performs export promotion, inward investment facilitation, and trade fair organization for Japanese firms. Same role, more mature scale.
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT): China's national foreign trade promotion body organizing trade fairs, certifying exporters, and providing trade information. Same institutional role with vastly larger scale.
• Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA): Korea's national trade and investment promotion agency with global offices, B2B matchmaking, and market research services. Comparable institutional architecture to EDB.
• Enterprise Singapore: Singapore's government agency driving export development and internationalization of local enterprises. Highly comparable in scope: trade promotion, capability building, and overseas market access programs.
• India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO): India's apex export promotion body running India Trade Fair and overseas trade events, plus export development programs for SMEs. Regional peer with similar mandate.
• Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP): Pakistan's national trade promotion body with analogous mandate, including trade fair participation, market access support, and exporter capacity building for South Asian textile/agricultural exports.
• Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP): Thai government trade promotion body running similar trade fair pavilions, exporter directories, and overseas trade centers. Comparable scope, mandate, and Asian emerging-economy context.
• Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB): Bangladesh's government export promotion agency serving a similar South Asian apparel-heavy export base. Closest geographic and sectoral peer to EDB.

Broad incumbents

• Department for Business and Trade (UK DBT): UK government department promoting British exports and inward investment. A broader incumbent peer with overlapping export promotion functions but much wider scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EDB_SriLanka
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EDBLankaExport
• Facebookfacebook.com/sledb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sri-lanka-export-development-board
• Instagraminstagram.com/srilanka_edb
• Pinterestpinterest.com/exportssrilanka
• TikToktiktok.com/@edb_sl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka Export Development Board