Inauguration ceremony of the 16th edition of the World Export Development Forum was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the BMICH, yesterday (12).

The theme for this year’s Forum is " Trade for success: Connect, Compete, Change” and the World Export Development Forum is held in Sri Lanka for the first time.

The Forum was jointly organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the main objectives are to get the latest on consumer trends, business strategies and trade policies to navigate today’s trade environment, connect with experts on trade issues such as standards, trade facilitation and logistics, find solutions to overcome key trade barriers and increase competitiveness, and sign new business deals with partners from Sri Lanka and around the world.

Laying the foundation to establish a strong export economy in Sri Lanka is also one of the main objectives of this Forum.

In parallel to the Forum high-level panel discussions, practical workshops and business-to-business meetings too have been organized.

As the flagship event of the ITC, the World Export Development Forum brings together over 600 business leaders, policymakers, heads of trade and investment support institutions and international trade development officials to address international competitiveness for developing countries.

Ministers Malik Samarawickreme, Daya Gamage, Rishad Bathiudeen, State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, Arancha González also participated.