Sri Lanka Strategic Trade Forum Launched; Fund By US EXBS Program

COLOMBO (News 1st); The U.S. Embassy in Colombo, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Department of Import and Export Control, launched the first Sri Lanka Strategic Trade Forum. Trade regulators from Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore showcased their national strategies for overseeing the trade and transshipment of strategic items.

These items are any ‘dual use’ goods or technologies that can be used for both commercial and military applications and play a vital role in advancing innovation across various sectors, including software development, aviation, medicine, and sanitation.

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung emphasized that the United States works together with our partners to cultivate trading environments that support legitimate operations and restrict illegal activities, so that countries can not only foster economic growth but also develop that competitive edge within the global marketplace.

The forum also featured insights from Singapore’s Centre for Trade Excellence and the U.S. Department of Commerce as well as Sri Lankan experts.

The program was funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Programy.

The EXBS Program collaborates globally with government and industry partners to strengthen strategic trade management, including legal frameworks, licensing, customs enforcement, and border security.

In Sri Lanka, EXBS contributes over $500,000 annually to support training, technical assistance, equipment, and international exchanges.