India–Sri Lanka Strengthen Trade Ties at WTC Mumbai Meet

High-level roundtable highlights rising trade potential and new investment opportunities between India and Sri Lanka.

WTC Mumbai and AIAI hosted a strategic business dialogue with the Sri Lankan Consulate, focusing on expanding bilateral trade, boosting investments, and unlocking new opportunities in services, exports, and joint ventures.

India and Sri Lanka are poised for a significant expansion in bilateral trade and investment, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deeper economic collaboration. “India–Sri Lanka ties will help us double trade and investment in the coming years through sustained engagement between the business and investment communities of both nations,” stated Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai. She addressed an exclusive high-level roundtable jointly organised by the World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai and the All India Association of Industries (AIAI).

Ms. Wickramasinghe underscored Sri Lanka’s improving investment ecosystem and highlighted the growing involvement of Indian companies across infrastructure, tourism, and service sectors.
She noted that bilateral merchandise trade has surpassed USD 5 billion in recent years, with India continuing as one of Sri Lanka’s top trading partners and Sri Lanka maintaining an important export presence in the Indian market. She emphasized the vast scope for growth in services such as tourism, logistics, education, healthcare, and professional services.

Speaking about export facilitation, Ms. Wickramasinghe said, “The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) was established to lead inward and outward trade missions. India, being our closest neighbour and key partner, is our primary focus for expanding export-led activity.”

She also invited Indian investors and businesses to participate in major Sri Lankan events scheduled for the coming year, including the Boat and Maritime Show and Sri Lanka Expo 26, returning after 13 years.

Ms. Kumudini Irugalbandara from the EDB expressed gratitude to WTC Mumbai, noting that the EDB’s first-ever representation in Mumbai marks a critical step in strengthening export engagement. She shared that Sri Lanka now exports over 25 major product categories and aims to double its export earnings to USD 6 billion by prioritizing innovation and talent development.

Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of WTC Mumbai and President of AIAI, emphasized the deep cultural and historical ties between the two nations. He stated that Sri Lanka, now emerging as a stable regional economy, offers significant opportunities for mutual growth. Recalling the signing of the India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, Dr. Kalantri highlighted the need to revive momentum through sector-focused collaboration such as tea, coffee, and religious tourism.

He proposed that both countries host annual flagship trade events—Make in Sri Lanka in Mumbai and Make in India in Colombo—featuring B2B, B2C, and B2G platforms to boost trade and joint ventures.

Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial), thanked all participants and highlighted policy reforms aimed at improving investment ease. She noted that Sri Lanka now allows foreign investments in both USD and Indian Rupees, offers sector-specific incentives, and operates a dedicated one-stop council to facilitate business entry.

The Sri Lankan business delegation included companies from construction, engineering, infrastructure consultancy, and manufacturing. Over 150 Indian business leaders participated, engaging with Sri Lankan counterparts to identify new avenues for collaboration.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai, joined by Ms. Priya Pansare, Director – Trade & Investment Promotion, WTC Mumbai, and Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, AIAI.