department of commerce

Name

department of commerce

Legal name

Department of Commerce

Website

https://doc.gov.lk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Trade Facilitation Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Certificates of Origin & Trade Certificates (COO, Chamber/Legalization) (TLACAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance (BPAHAFAN), Product Regulatory Compliance for Cross-Border Trade (e.g., FDA, USDA, CPSC, CE/REACH/RoHS) (TLACAGAH), Trade Compliance, Standards & Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT/SPS) (BPADAMAK), Customs Classification & Valuation (HS/HTS, Origin, Duty Optimization) (TLACAFAC)

Keywords

• Trade facilitation services
• Certificate of origin
• Preferential trade agreements
• Export documentation
• Trade policy administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certificate of Origin Issuance Fees: Government service fees for issuance of Certificates of Origin and related documents under various trade agreements including GSP, ISFTA, PSFTA, SSLFTA, SLTFTA, SAPTA, SAFTA, APTA, and GSTP

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Department of Commerce is Sri Lanka's nodal government agency for foreign trade relations. It issues legally recognized Certificates of Origin for exporters under multiple trade agreements (GSP, ISFTA, PSFTA, SSLFTA, SLTFTA, SAFTA, SAPTA, APTA, GSTP, UK DCTS), manages REX System registration for EU GSP self-certification, implements trade remedies (anti-dumping, countervailing duties, safeguards), and provides overseas trade representation through commercial officers stationed in 27 countries.

Product overview

The Department of Commerce is a Sri Lankan government department that provides trade facilitation services rather than a technology product company. Its core services include issuance of Certificate of Origin for export documentation, management of preferential trade arrangements under multiple FTAs (ISFTA, PSFTA, SSLFTA, SLTFTA, SAFTA, SAPTA, APTA, GSTP), GSP scheme certifications, REX System registration for EU exports, residence visa recommendations, trade representation through overseas Commercial Officers, and WTO Reference Centre services. The department also implements trade remedies including anti-dumping and countervailing measures. The services are provided through both physical offices and an e-services portal for online Certificate of Origin applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate of Origin Issuance Official issuance of Certificate of Origin documents for exporters to certify the Sri Lankan origin of goods for preferential tariff treatment under multiple trade agreements. Available with digital signatures for ISFTA, TRQC, SAFTA, and SAPTA certificates.
• GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) Facilitates preferential tariff treatment for Sri Lankan exports to developed countries including EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and USA.
• Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) Certification services for preferential trade under the bilateral free trade agreement with India, covering goods trade and rules of origin. Digital signature-enabled since 27 March 2023.
• Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) Certification services for preferential trade under the bilateral free trade agreement with Pakistan.
• Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (SSLFTA) Certification services for preferential trade under the bilateral free trade agreement with Singapore.
• Sri Lanka Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) Comprehensive FTA covering trade in goods, rules of origin, SPS measures, TBT, trade remedies, trade in services, investment, customs procedures, intellectual property, and dispute settlement.
• SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) Certification services for preferential trade among SAARC member countries under the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement. Digital signature-enabled since 11 September 2023.
• SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement) Certification services for preferential trading arrangements among SAARC member countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Digital signature-enabled since 11 September 2023.
• APTA (Asia Pacific Trade Agreement) Certification services for preferential trade under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement among China, India, Korea, Bangladesh, Laos, and Sri Lanka.
• GSTP (Global System of Trade Preference) Certification services for trade preferences among 42 developing countries under the Global System of Trade Preference.
• UK DCTS (Developing Countries Trading Scheme) UK preferential trade scheme replacing GSP, providing enhanced market access for Sri Lankan exports with liberalized rules of origin enabling 47.5% to 100% global input sourcing for apparel exports.
• REX System Registration Registered Exporter System for EU GSP self-certification, allowing exporters to make origin declarations for shipments to EU, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey.
• Residence Visa Recommendation Recommendation services for residence visa applications for foreign investors and business visitors coming to Sri Lanka.
• Trade Representation Abroad Network of 32 Commercial Officers stationed at Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in 27 countries to promote trade, investment, and tourism.
• Library and WTO Reference Centre Trade information resources and WTO documentation available to exporters and trade professionals.
• Trade Remedies Services Implementation of Anti-Dumping, Countervailing Duties, and Safeguard Measures Act to protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Digital signature implementation for electronic Certificate of Origin from March/September 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• World Trade Organization (WTO)coreOthersInternational organization providing trade policy guidance, technical assistance on trade remedies, and hosting WTO Ministerial Conferences where Sri Lanka participates
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)coreOthersUN body providing research and guidance on trade and development issues relevant to Sri Lanka's trade policy
• International Trade Centre (ITC)majorOthersJoint initiatives including EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance Project supporting export development
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU GSP scheme providing preferential tariff access for Sri Lankan exports; EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance Project for trade capacity building
• Ministry of Commerce of China / Yunnan ProvincemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organization of China-South Asia Exposition; provision of free pavilion space for Sri Lanka; cooperation on trade facilitation and market access
• SAARC SecretariatcoreOthersRegional organization facilitating SAARC preferential trading arrangements including SAPTA and SAFTA
• Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL)supportingOthersProvides legal advisory services on WTO law and trade disputes
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)supportingOthersInternational organization for intellectual property protection related to trade
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)supportingOthersInternational financial institution providing economic policy guidance
• South CentresupportingOthersIntergovernmental organization supporting developing countries on trade and development issues

Scale indicators4 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Department for Business and Trade: The UK's Department for Business and Trade administers the DCTS preferential framework under which Sri Lankan apparel exports benefit, and operates comparable functions of trade negotiation, market access, and trade documentation oversight.
• International Trade Administration (US Department of Commerce): The US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration performs trade promotion, FTA administration, and trade compliance functions comparable to Sri Lanka's DOC, though at vastly larger scale and with broader mandate including export financing and market access advocacy.
• European Commission DG Trade: DG Trade manages the EU GSP scheme under which Sri Lanka is a beneficiary and administers REX system registration that the DOC operationalizes for Sri Lankan exporters; functionally analogous as a government trade policy and compliance authority.
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India): India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the counterpart agency administering the ISFTA and APTA preferential frameworks with Sri Lanka; performs equivalent functions of trade negotiation, FTA implementation, and origin certification oversight.
• Ministry of Commerce (China): China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) is a major partner for the China-South Asia Exposition and APTA framework; the largest national trade administration globally and the dominant counterpart for Sri Lanka's China-bound trade.
• Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce: Bangladesh's Ministry of Commerce is a key regional peer in South Asian apparel/textile exports and a SAFTA/APTA/SAPTA partner of Sri Lanka; performs equivalent FTA administration, origin certification, and trade negotiation functions.
• Singapore Customs (Singapore Trade Facilitation Body): Singapore Customs is the SSLFTA counterparty and operates one of Asia's most digitized trade documentation platforms; functionally analogous as a national trade facilitation and customs authority, though more digitally mature.
• Pakistan Ministry of Commerce: Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce is the PSFTA and SAFTA counterpart for Sri Lanka, and recent JEC/JWG sessions show active bilateral engagement; functionally analogous as a South Asian regional trade facilitation body.
• Ministry of Trade (Thailand): Thailand's Ministry of Commerce is the SLTFTA counterparty, administering Thai preferential trade policy and origin certification for the agreement; structurally and functionally analogous as a national trade facilitation body.

Others

• International Trade Centre (ITC): ITC is a core partner of Sri Lanka's DOC, running the EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance Project for export development; operates as a joint UN/WTO agency providing trade capacity building comparable to DOC's SME support programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Department-of-Commerce-Sri-Lanka-105021248101449

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 department of commerce