The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) under the guidance of the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade implemented Market Access Support programme to empower entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.
The objectives of the programme are to encourage enterprises interested in expanding their markets; increase market access; enhance value addition; improve productivity; advance Sri Lankan home-grown brands’ conformity to the international quality, environmental, and other standards; upgrade technology and develop competitiveness. The government allocated Rs. 800 million for this programme as part of the trade adjustment programme which was proposed by the National Trade Policy and the National Budget 2018.
Uptodate, 95 projects have been approved for assistance in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Gampaha, Puttlam, Kurunegala, Galle and Hambantota. Product sectors that have been covered are: Rubber and Rubber-based products, Ornamental Fish, Footwear, Light Engineering and Coconut and Coconut Fibre-based products, Seafood, Garments, Spices and Allied products, Gem and Jewellery, Wooden Products, Boat Building, ICT and BPM, Printing and Logistics, Processed Food, and Wellness Tourism. In addition to the traditional export sectors, Market Access Support program is supporting innovative areas of the services sector like BPM Management to access new markets in their fields.
The beneficiaries have been able to expand their businesses from the assistance provided by this commendable initiative. The following are some of the success stories:
Tropic Fishery Pvt Ltd has been able to improving market access for Sri Lanka’s Yellowfin tuna using artificial intelligence. Infomate Private Limited and Cosuk Lanka has also benefited.
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