One of the main victories the government achieved was in the export category with the country recording the highest export revenue in 2025 and that was possible due to the dedication and determination of the award winning exporters present at the occasion, Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development told the 33rd National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) Export Awards ceremony held in Colombo on
Friday (13).
He said in every product that goes out of the country there is a story of pride of the country and the invaluable expertise and labour of some person. That is why the country could manage USD 17.2 billion export revenue in 2025. The Minister said no one has the right in the future to come down from that figure and the government targets a USD 36 billion export economy in 2030. To move forward to that target the minister said all hurdles needed to be faced and overturned. He said to achieve this victory in the export sector everyone’s contribution from the manufacturing sector too was also very crucial with the government and exporters working as one team. He said the main contribution last year was from garments, tea, spices, rubber and rubber related products, gem & jewellery and processed food and from service sector ITC contributed the most.
“What we concentrated more on was more than export volume, the value addition on exports because we are in a very competitive world and the person who can be innovative can capture the market and forge ahead. For that as a government our main task is to remove all barriers placed before you to achieve that task. For that, we are having negotiations with other ministries. For us to win the export world we must first protect and strengthen local producers. For this a major overhaul of tariff structure has been discussed with the Finance Ministry and submitted for Cabinet approval.
We have also brought the National Single Window concept and are working with other line ministries to make it a success this year and remove all barriers faced by the export fraternity and allow them to move ahead with ease. We have also prepared the National Export Strategy of Sri Lanka 2025-30 and we must all work together to achieve those targets.” Handunnetti said they have increased sector advisory committees from 20 to 26 with Cabinet approval and to achieve the export target of USD 36 billion the country should maintain a 10% annual export growth. One of the key events to focus on the country’s export ability will be the Sri Lanka Expo 2026 event scheduled for June.
Dipped Products PLC was crowned Most Outstanding Exporter 2025. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) was the Official Print Media Sponsor of the event.
Source : Daily News