Sri Lanka seeks Japanese investors, trade partners at Osaka Expo 2025

Sri Lanka showcased its export potential, investment opportunities and tourism offerings at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, seeking to deepen trade and investment ties with Japan as the island nation continues its economic recovery.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan, organised a business forum and networking session on September 26, drawing around 20 exporters from key sectors including apparel, tea, spices, gems and jewellery, food and beverages, handicrafts and IT services. The event was supported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Sri Lanka Business Council of Japan.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe called the forum “A milestone in strengthening the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and Japan,” adding that the country was positioning itself as a regional trade hub with a skilled workforce, improving logistics infrastructure and a strategic location on key shipping lanes.

Japan, which is among Sri Lanka’s top trading partners, is showing renewed interest as the island records eight straight quarters of growth, said JETRO Osaka Director-General Hideki Sho. He noted the strong reputation of Ceylon Tea in Japan, growing demand for graphite used in lithium-ion batteries, and the expanding potential of Sri Lanka’s IT services.

Sri Lanka’s participation at the Expo comes as the country seeks to attract foreign investment after declaring bankruptcy in 2022 and entering an IMF-supported reform programme. 

State Minister for Investment Promotion Chathuranga Abeysinghe told the forum that Colombo’s investor-friendly policies and sectoral strengths in apparel, agriculture, ICT and wellness positioned it as a gateway to South Asia.

Presentations by the EDB, Board of Investment and Tourism Promotion Bureau highlighted fiscal incentives, new industrial zones, and tourism offerings ranging from heritage sites to wellness retreats and MICE opportunities. A networking session allowed Sri Lankan and Japanese firms to explore partnerships and joint ventures.

Sri Lanka will continue to showcase its products and services through the country pavilion at Expo 2025 until October 5.