Doors open for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to connect with the UK and explore new trade opportunities
The United Kingdom (UK)—The Sri Lanka Trade Mission, co-organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), successfully concluded its Jaffna program on 4 December 2024. This initiative highlighted the export potential of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka, particularly in the northern region.
According to the sources in Jaffna, the program aimed to empower women-led businesses to diversify their export markets, enhance their competitiveness, and
drive sustainable economic growth in the country.
The program, part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ program, provided a platform for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to connect with UK buyers and explore new trade opportunities.
The event was inaugurated by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Head of Programs Trade for Development Simon Calvert,
and EDB Director General Champika Dharmasena.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and enabling their access to international markets to drive inclusive economic growth in Sri Lanka.
One of the key features of the mission was the Market Information Session, led by Simon Calvert. During the session, participants gained valuable insights into the UK market, including sectoral opportunities, export volumes, and how to leverage the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The session conducted by Calvert, provided women-led businesses with the tools and knowledge to expand their reach in the UK market.
The mission also involved trips to factories of women-led businesses in Jaffna, allowing UK buyers to discover the skills and innovations of local entrepreneurs in industries such as Agri-food and Apparel. These visits highlighted the capability of women entrepreneurs in Jaffna to offer high-quality, markets.
In addition, Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings were organized, giving women-led businesses the chance to engage directly with UK buyers. These meetings created a platform for establishing valuable business connections, discussing potential partnerships, and showcasing the products of Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs.
This program marked an important milestone in strengthening UK-Sri Lanka trade relations, with a strong focus on the growth and development of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka.
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