Colombo, 14 March 2025 – The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have officially launched the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, funded by the UK’s SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme. This initiative aims to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, market access, and policy support necessary to succeed in international trade.

Women-led businesses in Sri Lanka account for over 25% of the SME sector but face challenges in securing international buyers and scaling operations. The Hub will provide tailored training, trade facilitation, and networking opportunities to bridge this gap, supporting Sri Lanka’s export ambitions.

The launch event was attended by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who highlighted the government’s commitment to eliminating structural barriers that limit women’s economic participation. ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, emphasised the role of SheTrades Hubs in fostering gender-responsive trade policies, noting that in 2023 alone, these hubs supported over 1,000 women-led businesses globally.

Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of EDB, underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector leaders to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.

Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to gender-inclusive economic development, stating that the full participation of women is crucial for global prosperity. He highlighted the success of a UK trade mission to Sri Lanka in December 2023, which facilitated £100,000 in business leads within three months, with an estimated annual value exceeding £600,000.

As part of ongoing efforts, ITC will conduct export procedure training in Colombo from 17 to 20 March to help women-led businesses navigate UK trade requirements. This follows the January launch of UK export procedure handbooks covering agrifood, textiles, apparel, footwear, women’s accessories, and home décor.

Sri Lanka’s export industry has shown resilience, with merchandise exports reaching $16.17 billion in 2024, marking a 7.06% year-on-year increase despite global economic challenges. The SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub aims to capitalise on this momentum, integrating more women-led businesses into global supply chains.

The Hub joins a global network of 20 SheTrades Hubs spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, reinforcing efforts to enhance women’s participation in international trade.