EDB initiates strategic dialogue with NIRDC to boost R&D in pharmaceutical sector

THE Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) initiated a constructive dialogue with the National Initiative for R&D Commercialisation (NIRDC) to explore avenues of support for strengthening the Sri Lankan pharmaceutical sector through Research and Development (R&D).

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The meeting took place on 7 July at the EDB premises, with the participation of private sector representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, NIRDC, and EDB.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe opened the discussion by outlining the measures taken to enhance export revenue, including the reactivation of the Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM) after nearly three decades. He highlighted that the EDCM now provides a vital platform to address policy-level issues across sectors. He further emphasised the growing importance of developing the pharmaceutical industry through R&D and noted that the collaboration with the NIRDC is a timely and strategic step towards long-term export growth in the sector.