By Newswire Editorial
The government is implementing a programme to prepare between 300 and 400 Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter international markets, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe has announced.
The Deputy Minister said the government expects support from the German business community and other international partners to provide these enterprises with access to advanced technology, financial management expertise and international markets.
He made these remarks while addressing the “Top German Brands 2026 – The Ball Edition” event, organised in Colombo by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) and the German Embassy.
Abeysinghe said the government is working to strengthen Sri Lanka’s export economy by expanding international trade partnerships and progressively removing existing trade barriers by 2029, while creating opportunities for new trade agreements.
He highlighted the importance of cooperation with Germany in transforming Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector from industries dependent on low labour costs towards advanced technology and high value-added production.
The Deputy Minister said the government is also focusing on infrastructure development, expanding port and airport capacity, and strengthening vocational skills to support industrial growth.
He further emphasised the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to develop vocational skills among young people and address workforce requirements in the industrial sector.
Abeysinghe noted that Sri Lanka has achieved economic stability following the challenges experienced in recent years, adding that the government’s next priority is to implement reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth.
German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Felix Neumann, Head of AHK Sri Lanka Martin Klose, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake, diplomats, business leaders and policymakers attended the event. (Newswire)