EDB outlines trade potential and ethical manufacturing strengths

THE Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe spotlighted Sri Lanka’s trade potential and ethical manufacturing strengths at the recently concluded ‘Sri Lanka-China Investment and Trade Forum 2025’.

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Making a presentation to a high-level audience of Government officials, business leaders and delegates from China, he painted a picture of a resilient and principled export economy ready to deepen ties with the Chinese economic powerhouse.

Wijesinghe noted that China is ranked as Sri Lanka’s 10th largest export destination, while is ranks as Sri Lanka’s top import market. With total exports to China valued at $ 251.9 million or just 2% of country’s total exports, he asserted that there is significant potential to enhance merchandise shipments.

“The average annual growth rate over the past five years has been at 1.84%. This highlights significant untapped potential remains in both traditional and emerging product categories,” he added.

Key exports to China at present include; tea, apparel, activated carbon, coco peat, fibre pith and moulded products, and frozen fish.