November 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to transform its information and communication technology and digital services industries into major sources of foreign exchange, with a target of generating US$5 billion in exports from the sector by 2030.
The Export Development Board (EDB) and the Ministry of Digital Economy are working towards this goal through closer institutional cooperation and targeted policy measures under the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030.
The latest discussions took place on 10 November, when senior government officials and industry representatives examined ways to accelerate the expansion of the ICT and Business Process Management (BPM) industries and increase their contribution to national export earnings.
The NEDP establishes an overall export revenue ambition of US$36 billion by 2030, of which US$5 billion is expected to come from digital products and services. Achieving this target will require stronger coordination between government institutions, improved market access and measures to address existing weaknesses in the country’s digital export ecosystem.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and focused on identifying priority actions for the Ministry and its affiliated institutions, including GovTech, to support the implementation of the national strategy.
Among the proposals considered were specific programmes to be developed through the Digital Products and Services Advisory Committee, with the aim of creating a more structured approach to expanding digital exports and improving the competitiveness of Sri Lankan service providers in overseas markets.
Participants also examined shortcomings in the way service-sector export earnings are recorded and monitored. Establishing a reliable system to capture export revenue accurately was identified as an important requirement, particularly in addressing gaps associated with foreign exchange conversion and the reporting of earnings generated through cross-border services.
The discussions further highlighted the need for mandatory registration of exporters, which could improve the availability of industry data and help authorities assess the sector’s performance more effectively.
Another priority was the stronger integration of services into Sri Lanka’s bilateral and regional trade agreements. Improved recognition and coverage of service exports in such arrangements could help local technology companies and other service providers gain access to additional international markets.
The NEDP 2026–2030 was developed by the EDB under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy G. G. S. C. Roshan, Hans Wijayasuriya, senior representatives of GovTech, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, Director General Erandika Dissanayake and Additional Director General (Development) Kumudinie Mudalige.
The EDB has emphasised that achieving the digital export target will depend not merely on setting ambitious revenue goals, but also on translating policy decisions into practical programmes supported by effective institutional coordination.
As competition in the global technology and business services markets intensifies, Sri Lanka will need to strengthen its capacity to deliver internationally competitive services while ensuring that export earnings are properly recognised and measured.
The Board said it would continue working with relevant ministries and public institutions to advance the national export strategy, with the broader objective of reaching US$36 billion in total export revenue by 2030.