Sri Lanka Launches UK Export Guides for Women Entrepreneurs

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), host of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, has partnered with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the British High Commission in Colombo to launch two sector-specific export handbooks in Sinhala and Tamil. The initiative aims to strengthen the export readiness of Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to expand into the United Kingdom market.

Key Highlights

• Sri Lanka launches Sinhala and Tamil export handbooks for women-led businesses and SMEs
• Guides cover textiles, apparel, processed agrifood, and spices for UK exports
• Resources explain the UK's DCTS, offering duty-free access to around 92% of Sri Lankan exports

The newly launched handbooks focus on two key export sectors: Textiles and Apparel, including women's accessories, footwear, and handicrafts, and Processed Agrifood and Spices. They provide practical guidance on UK export procedures, regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and market expectations, helping businesses prepare for international trade.

A major focus of the handbooks is the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers duty-free access to approximately 92 per cent of Sri Lankan product lines exported to the UK. The guides explain how businesses can benefit from the scheme while navigating export documentation, quality standards, and market entry requirements.

The initiative forms part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, which seeks to improve the competitiveness, capacity, and international market access of women entrepreneurs across Commonwealth countries. Through the programme, women-led enterprises receive support to strengthen their export capabilities and connect with global markets.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe described the UK as one of Sri Lanka's key trading partners. He said the DCTS presents a valuable opportunity for local enterprises to enter and expand within the UK market under preferential trading arrangements, reinforcing Sri Lanka's export potential.

UK Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka Lord Hannett highlighted the importance of translating the handbooks into Sinhala and Tamil, stating that providing information in local languages would make export knowledge more accessible to entrepreneurs across the country. He noted that easier access to market information would allow a broader range of businesses to understand UK trade requirements and take advantage of available export opportunities.

The EDB said the collaboration with the ITC and the British High Commission reflects a shared commitment to strengthening women-led enterprises, supporting SME exports, and promoting inclusive, export-driven economic growth. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical market intelligence and trade guidance, the initiative aims to improve export performance while contributing to higher national export earnings.

The bilingual export handbooks are available for download through the EDB's SheTrades resources page on the Sri Lanka Business website, providing women entrepreneurs and SMEs with accessible tools to explore new opportunities in the UK market.