The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) – Regional Development Division has implemented an Export Support Program as a pilot project for twenty-five (25) selected export potential SMEs that are registered in the part of the EDB – New Exporter Development Program and help them develop capacities to enter the export market.

The program consisted of 3 phases and in the first phase, the companies were evaluated by an interview panel made up of EDB agents, and the 25 SMEs most suitable for the coaching program were selected from among 70 applications received. In the second phase, individual coaching sessions on export marketing planning were conducted by a selected team of EDB officers who were trained by the International Trade Center (ITC) in 2019/2020 as trainers in Export Marketing Planning (EMP). During these sessions, SMEs were guided by EDB agents to develop their export marketing plans and SMEs were assessed on auditing exports, exploring opportunities in the export market. export and strategic decision-making on export market entry options. Later, export marketing plans and action plans were developed by each company individually under the guidance of EDB officers and submitted to EDB during the 2^sd phase and feedback has been provided to improve their plans.

As a final phase, a marketing program took place on 10^e Virtual December (due to COVID-19 health guidelines) where the selected SMEs presented their export marketing plans with details of their financing needs to obtain the services identified as essential to expand their business internationally, such as Market Intelligence, Product Development, Quality Improvement, Capacity Development, Packaging, Marketing and Branding to an external evaluation panel. The panel was represented by Dr Dayaratna Silva, National Expert – International Trade Center, Professor B. Nishantha, Faculty of Management and Finance – University of Colombo and Mr. Nuwan Gamage, Senior Vice President – Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing .

As a result, the export marketing plans presented by Unicorn Tire Retreads Pvt Ltd, Kandrick Tea Beverages Lanka Pvt Ltd, Nature’s Wellness Pvt Ltd Ceylon Dhee Ayurveda Pvt Ltd, Gamma Chemicals, Hela Coco Energy Pvt Ltd, Healthy Foods Lanka Pvt Ltd, Kadadasi, Liven, Nature Wins Pvt Ltd, Navigata Foods Pvt Ltd, Pranaya & Tilma Lanka Pvt Ltd were selected as the best export marketing plans during the marketing program held at EDB on 10^e December 2021.

It has been observed that a large number of Sri Lankan SMEs offer unique products in the international market but do not get adequate attention from buyers due to lack of proper export marketing planning to target and position them. products in niche markets. Therefore, it has become a priority of the EDB to recognize export-ready SMEs, guide them in the development of their export marketing plans and help them develop their capacities and skills to promote products in potential markets in order to attract international buyers. EDB plans to continue this program in order to provide opportunities for more SMEs to enter the export market, which is essential at present to bring more foreign currency to the country.