The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), together with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the British High Commission in Colombo, has launched Sinhala and Tamil versions of two sector-specific export handbooks aimed at improving the export readiness of women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) targeting the UK market.

The handbooks cover the textiles and apparel sector—including women's accessories, footwear and handicrafts—and processed agrifood and spices. They provide practical guidance on the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers duty-free access for around 92% of Sri Lankan product lines exported to the UK, along with information on regulatory requirements and market expectations.

The initiative forms part of the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, which seeks to enhance the competitiveness and international market access of women-led export businesses across Commonwealth countries.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the UK remained an important trading partner for Sri Lanka and highlighted the opportunities available under the DCTS. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to improving the competitiveness, sustainability and export readiness of local enterprises to expand their participation in global markets.

UK Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka Lord Hannett of Everton said translating the handbooks into Sinhala and Tamil would make valuable export information more accessible to entrepreneurs across the country, enabling more businesses to benefit from the UK's preferential market access. The handbooks are available for download through the EDB's SheTrades Publications and Resources portal.