NCE strengthens regional trade links

MoU with Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam

• Delegation connects exporters with producers and suppliers in Eastern and Northern provinces

In a landmark initiative to promote inclusive economic development and strengthen Sri Lanka’s export capacity, the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) recently led a high-level business delegation to Trincomalee and Jaffna. 

This outreach aims to connect regional producers and suppliers with the national exporters, foster long-term partnerships and open new pathways for rural enterprises to access global markets.

This effort is part of the NCE’s broader vision to bridge the gap between rural and urban economies by facilitating direct engagement with grassroots-level businesses and enhancing regional contributions to Sri Lanka’s national export value chain.

The NCE also seeks to encourage promising suppliers to become direct exporters themselves. 

On April 3, 2025, the NCE delegation hosted a regional business forum at the Management Development Training Unit Auditorium in Uppuveli, Trincomalee, bringing together over 120 producers and suppliers. The event was organised with the support of the Governor’s Office of the Eastern province and Industrial Development Board (IDB), ensuring robust institutional backing.

The participants represented a broad range of industries including seafood, coconut fibre, garments, mineral sand, fruits and vegetables, ayurvedic medicine, handicrafts, printing, palmyrah products, gift items and more—underscoring the region’s rich and diverse economic base.

A key outcome of the visit was the strategic partnership signed between the NCE and Trincomalee Chamber of Commerce, aimed at building strong supply chain linkages and enabling local enterprises to meet export standards and requirements.

On April 4, 2025, the NCE delegation arrived in Jaffna, where over 80 regional suppliers and producers gathered at the District Secretariat Auditorium to explore how their products could enter international markets through the NCE export network.

Two memoranda of understanding were signed during this visit: Between the NCE and Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam and between the NCE and Jaffna Manager’s Forum.

These collaborations will promote knowledge sharing, capacity building and the development of sustainable trade partnerships that empower regional businesses to grow and thrive.

In addition, the NCE delegation met with the Chamber of Northern Exporters (CNE), which represents over 30 active exporters. The NCE and CNE agreed to work jointly to identify common challenges faced by regional exporters and advocate for effective policy solutions.

In line with its holistic approach, the NCE also included key service providers in its delegation: standards and certification authorities educated regional producers on international market requirements, including compliance with food safety, sustainability and packaging standards and banks and freight forwarders offered practical advice on financial readiness, documentation and logistics solutions for export.

Digital service providers, led by Dialog Enterprise—the NCE’s official Digital Technology Partner—shared insights on how regional SMEs could leverage digital tools to streamline operations, manage supply chains and access new customers through e-commerce and cloud-based platforms.

NCE President Indra Kaushal Rajapaksa emphasised, “By reaching out to the regions, we aim to empower local producers and suppliers to become active contributors to Sri Lanka’s export value chain. This is a critical step toward building a resilient and inclusive export economy.”

NCE Secretary General and CEO Shiham Marikar added, “There is immense talent and capacity across Sri Lanka’s provinces. By incorporating regional producers and suppliers into national export frameworks, we create a win-win scenario for all stakeholders.”