Govt. to launch export blueprint targeting US$ 36bn revenue by 2030

• Identifies eight priority sectors ranging from digital services and electronics to boatbuilding and processed foods
• Roadmap formulated as a national priority under the 2025 Budget and aligns with the government’s vision of ‘A Prosperous Nation - A Beautiful Life’
• The plan is built around two pillars

Sri Lanka will next week unveil a five-year national export strategy aimed at nearly doubling export earnings to US$36 billion by 2030, as the government seeks to shift the economy onto a stronger export-led growth path and reduce its dependence on domestic demand and external borrowing.

The National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030, due to be launched on 16 June in Colombo, has identified eight priority sectors ranging from digital services and electronics to boatbuilding and processed foods, while also targeting long-standing structural bottlenecks that have constrained export competitiveness.

The plan, developed by the Export Development Board (EDB) with technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), comes as Sri Lanka looks to accelerate foreign exchange earnings and broaden its export base following the country’s economic crisis and subsequent recovery under an IMF-backed reform programme.

According to the EDB, the roadmap was formulated as a national priority under the 2025 Budget and aligns with the government’s vision of “A Prosperous Nation - A Beautiful Life”.

At the centre of the strategy is an ambitious target to raise annual export revenue to US$36 billion by 2030 through greater diversification, value addition and improved market competitiveness.

The plan is built around two pillars.

The first focuses on economy-wide reforms and support mechanisms, including trade facilitation, trade finance, investment ecosystem development, market access, trade promotion, supply chain management, consolidation centre operations, quality infrastructure, standards and environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance.

Skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship also form part of the horizontal reform agenda aimed at strengthening the country’s export ecosystem.

The second pillar targets eight sectors identified as having strong export growth potential. These are auto components, minerals-based industries, rubber-based products, marine industries including boat and shipbuilding, spices and concentrates, digital products and services, electrical and electronic components, and processed food and beverages.

The focus on emerging sectors marks a shift away from Sri Lanka’s traditional dependence on apparel, tea and a handful of export industries, reflecting efforts to create higher-value export streams and improve resilience against global market shocks.

The EDB said the strategy was developed through extensive consultations involving more than 300 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society organisations and international development partners.

The launch comes at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s external sector. Policymakers and business leaders have repeatedly stressed the need to expand export capacity and diversify markets to sustain economic recovery, strengthen foreign exchange reserves and support long-term growth.

With global trade becoming increasingly competitive and sustainability requirements gaining prominence, the success of the new export plan is likely to depend on how effectively Sri Lanka can implement reforms, attract investment into priority sectors and improve the ease of doing business for exporters.