Global Trade Accelerator Support scheme to provide financial push for exporters

• Completed application forms with necessary documents should be submitted by December 20, 2025  

By Shannine Daniel

The Export Development Board (EDB) announced this week the introduction of the Global Trade Accelerator Support (GTAS) scheme to provide financial support to the exporters and potential exporters. 

The GTAS will provide the exporters and potential exporters opportunities to expand market presence through participation in trade fairs, obtain the necessary international standards and certifications and listings in supermarkets.

It will also cover direct costs for in-store promotions.

The GTAS would be implemented from January to November 2026, the EDB said in a recent announcement.

The primary objectives of the GTAS are enhancing export development by supporting growth and diversification in Sri Lanka’s export sector, expanding market presence, product and brand market entry, increasing export revenue and brand development and recognition by improving brand identity and competitiveness in international markets.

Support is provided under two categories: Category I – Export Market Promotion, with maximum financial support of Rs.550,000 per company for each year and Category II – Brand Registration and In-store Promotion, with maximum financial support of Rs.1.25 million per company for each year.

The financial assistance will be granted on a 50:50 cost-sharing and on reimbursement basis. 

Assistance in Category I will give the applicants opportunities to participate in trade fairs or exhibitions and obtain international standards, certifications or comply with market regulations.

Category II will give the applicants the opportunities to be listed supermarkets and gain in-store promotions and will also provide the registration of Sri Lankan brands and trademarks. 

The completed application forms and necessary documents should reach the EDB Director of Market Development by December 20, 2025.  

All the exporters and potential exporters of products or services, having local ownership of 51 percent or more, are eligible to apply under this scheme, the EDB stated.

The applications will be evaluated by a committee comprising officials from the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, Commerce Department, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, National Intellectual Property Office, Coconut Development  Authority, Tea Board, Industrial Technology Institutes, EDB and any other related organisations, if applicable. 

The applicants may also be requested by the EDB or the evaluation committee to submit any other additional information or documents, if needed.

The evaluation committee’s decision will be finalised after the approval of the EDB’s chairman/CEO.

The applications submitted after the closing date as well as incomplete applications, applications submitted without the required documents and those which have not followed the guidelines, would not be considered, the EDB stated.