The second phase of the Export Development Board’s (EDB) Creative Sri Lanka 2030 programme has been launched, with the initiative aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of Sri Lankan creative and handicraft brands.

The national program brings together exporters, small and medium-sized enterprises, artisans, designers, universities and other industry experts to transform traditional Sri Lankan handicrafts into products suited to international markets.For generations, Sri Lankan artisans have used materials such as clay, wood, fibre, metal and textiles to create products reflecting the country’s culture and identity. However, many of these creative capabilities have remained largely within small and medium-sized businesses without strong links to major international markets.Creative Sri Lanka 2030 forms part of the country’s National Export Development Plan 2026-2030, which targets total exports of US$36 billion by 2030 through export diversification, value addition and stronger integration with global value chains.The programme, implemented with government support, seeks to improve the global competitiveness of selected Sri Lankan creative industry brands through design development, structured training and the establishment of international market linkages.

The initiative is also intended to transform the country’s creative and handicraft sector into a stronger contributor to Sri Lanka’s export economy by creating greater opportunities for local businesses and artisans to access global market