The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their long-standing partnership to strengthen Sri Lanka’s export sector and improve market access for export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Julia Bellinghausen, Head of IPD, alongside Mr. Marcus Schwenke, Director of International Markets at the Federation of Wholesale Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), Ms. Stephanie Weber, and other senior IPD representatives.

Speaking at the event, the EDB described the MoU as a significant milestone in a collaboration that began in 2019. Since then, IPD has played a pivotal role in supporting Sri Lankan exporters by providing access to European markets, strengthening export capabilities, and enhancing international competitiveness.

Dr. Bellinghausen reaffirmed IPD’s commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships that enable SMEs to meet international market standards and build long-term commercial relationships. She emphasised that IPD would continue supporting Sri Lankan exporters through technical expertise, capacity-building programmes, consultancy services, and stronger market linkages across Europe.

The partnership has generated notable results, particularly in the natural ingredients sector, where exporters have benefited from market intelligence, buyer connections, participation in international trade fairs, and export readiness initiatives. It has also supported women-led export enterprises by creating greater opportunities for international market participation.

Under the renewed MoU, the EDB and IPD will collaborate on trade promotion, exporter development, institutional capacity building, business matchmaking, and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s integration into global value chains and enhancing economic cooperation with Europe.