Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDBSL)

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB commonly known as the EDB) is the premier state organisation dealing with the promotion and development of exports. It was established in 1979 under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979, and now functions under the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade.

The Chairman is the Chief Executive who is assisted by the Director General and the Additional Director General. Its day-to-day functions are carried out by several divisions each of which is headed by a Director.
For more information about EDBSL please visit
www.srilankabusiness.com

Department of Commerce ( DoC)

Core Functions

Recognizing the pivotal role of the department of Commerce in the national economy of Sri Lanka , consequent on a Cabinet decision, it was re-structured in 2000, to enable it to successfully face the daunting challenges of the new millennium in the field of international trade relations. Economic reforms implemented during post 1977 era have converted the role of the government in business activities to that of a vital catalyst and facilitator. The Department of Commerce therefore has an important role to play in trade policy formulation, coordination, and negotiations as the implementation arm of the Ministry ,with respect to conduct of international trade relations of Sri Lanka.

(1) In the sphere of Sri Lanka 's bilateral trade relations , the Department of Commerce functions as the focal point in Sri Lanka for the joint commissions on trade and economic co-operation established under trade agreements with fourteen countries as elaborated under " Joint Commissions ". The Department of Commerce performs all the functions related to conduct of bilateral trade negotiations under joint commissions from the stage of formulation, coordination and implementation of the decisions of the joint commissions. This methodology of inter-governmental cooperation in trade relations is found to be extremely beneficial for the development and expansion of Sri Lanka 's exports to the countries concerned.

(2) In the conduct and development of Sri Lanka's regional trade relations , the Department of Commerce acts as the national focal point for SAFTA/SAPTA, Indo - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, trade matters concerning BIMST-EC and IOR-RAC etc. The Department of Commerce is the monitoring and implementation agency for the operationalization of the Indo - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement as well as the Sri Lanka Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. All certificates of origin issued under these Free Trade Agreements are issued by the Department of Commerce. It is also the certifying agency for Certificates of Origin under the SAFTA/SAPTA, Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, GSTP and GSP. While on the subject, it is pertinent to mention that the first drafts of the South Asia Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAFTA), the Indo - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and the Pakistan - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement were prepared by the Department of Commerce.

(3) In the realm of multilateral trade relations , the Department of Commerce historically has played and continues to play a pivotal role as the national focal point for all WTO and WTO related affairs in Sri Lanka . Since Sri Lanka became a founding member of GATT in 1948 and the WTO in 1995, this Department has effectively discharged its functions relating to multilateral trade negotiations concluded under the Uruguay Round. This Department is the central coordinating agency for all the WTO and multilateral trade and trade related agreements negotiated under the Uruguay Round. This Department has established a sub-committee system comprising 10 sub-committees with members from line Ministries and Trade Chambers on the co-ordinated implementation of all WTO Agreements in Sri Lanka . It is pertinent to mention that drafting of national legislation to deal with dumping and subsidized exports was a case in point among several tasks concluded by such Committees. As a result of Sri Lanka 's active and effective participation along with other small economies at the recent WTO Ministerial Conference, Sri Lanka succeeded in establishing a "WTO Working Group" to address the concerns of the small and vulnerable economies including Sri Lanka .

(4) Sri Lanka 's Overseas Trade Representation is a significant subject falling under the purview of the Ministry of Trade. The Trade Commissioners' posts abroad amounting to 25 are manned by the Professional Staff of the Department of Commerce. These Trade Commissioners of the Department of Commerce constitute a valuable pool of technical and professional expertise, who have specialized in the areas of international trade policy, trade negotiations and trade promotion. Their continued contribution towards the expansion of our export earnings by sustaining the tempo of trade relations and locating new export opportunities through dynamic promotional effects are well acknowledged both by the public and private sectors of Sri Lanka .

Please visit www.doc.gov.lk for more information

Sri Lanka Tea Board
www.pureceylontea.com

Sri Lanka Tourist Board
www.srilankatourism.org/