Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) completed a comprehensive six-week export coaching programme aimed at assisting the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an export potential.

The SMEs, registered under the EDB New Exporter Development Programme (NEDP), were assisted to develop their export marketing plans as the first step in their journey towards becoming export-ready. 

The NEDP, implemented by the EDB, is aimed at developing the export potential of the SMEs to enter the export markets. 

The programme consisted of three phases. A group of 25 SMEs demonstrating export potential were selected by an internal evaluation panel as the first step of the programme.

The second phase involved both individual and group training sessions on export marketing planning. A dedicated team of EDB officers, trained by the International Trade Centre (ITC) as export marketing plan (EMP) coaches, conducted these informative sessions. The SMEs received guidance from these officers in developing their export marketing plans for a selected product in a target market. 

Additionally, there were some knowledge sharing sessions for the SMEs on important aspects on export planning such as packaging development for the export market, marketing and branding, logistics and export documentations, with the support of experts from the industry. 

The final stage featured an export market pitching programme on December 5, 2023, where 17 SMEs presented their export marketing plans, outlining their financial requirement for entry into international market, such as obtaining market intelligence, quality enhancement, capacity building, packaging development, marketing and branding. 

An external evaluation panel, including IFC Senior Operations Officer Rathnija Arandara, University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance Senior Lecturer Prof. B. Nishantha and Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Honorary Secretary Dr. Dilhan Sampath Jayatilleke evaluated the presented export marketing plans. External Consultant Import Promotion Desk Germany Rosa Nelly participated in the programme as an observer and gave feedback on the export marketing plans presented. 

Eventually, Lak Nature International (Pvt.) Ltd, Serangreen Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, Saviru Spices & Naturals (Pvt.) Ltd, Star Mushroom, Aqua Zone Ornamental Fish Farm (Pvt.)  Ltd, Cloud Content Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd, Jay Ceylon Cinnamon (Pvt.) Ltd, Nathuco Brown, Randee Super Food (Pvt.) Ltd and St Theresa DC Mills (Pvt.) Ltd were selected by the panel as the 10 best export marketing plans. The winning companies will be assisted by the EDB to implement their next stage of export marketing plans.