The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), has successfully conducted the 7th Provincial ExpoNavigator Programme under the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2026, held on 9–10 June 2026 in Batticaloa.
Implemented under the EU’s regional programme “Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS)”, the initiative aims to strengthen the export readiness, competitiveness and market access capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), supporting their expansion into international markets.
Held alongside International MSME Day 2026, the two-day programme brought together nearly 100 export-potential entrepreneurs from the Eastern Province. Participants benefited from awareness sessions, technical consultations and personalised business advisory services designed to help them prepare their businesses for global export opportunities.
As a flagship initiative of SLEEI, the ExpoNavigator Programme has now expanded its reach across seven provinces—Western, North Western, Northern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Eastern—identifying high-potential SMEs and connecting them with technical expertise, financial resources and institutional support required to scale their operations for export growth.
Although the Eastern Province demonstrates significant potential in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food processing, coconut-based products, spices, manufacturing and value-added industries, its contribution to Sri Lanka’s export sector remains limited, accounting for less than one percent of registered exporters. With the Province currently contributing approximately 5% to national GDP, strengthening its export participation has been identified as a key opportunity towards achieving the national target of an 8% contribution by 2030.
Through interactive knowledge sessions and a dedicated Business Clinic, participating SMEs received direct guidance from EDB and partner institution experts on key areas including export readiness, product development, branding, packaging, quality standards, certification requirements, market intelligence and access to finance.
The Business Clinic also enabled the identification of promising enterprises that can receive continued and targeted support under the SLEEI programme, helping them overcome barriers and successfully enter international markets.
The ExpoNavigator initiative supports the objectives of Sri Lanka’s upcoming National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2029, which focuses on broadening the country’s exporter base by empowering regional businesses, women-led enterprises, youth entrepreneurs and innovative SMEs to participate more actively in global trade.
TWC Capital Advises on US$28 Million IFC Investments Supporting Sri Lanka’s Energy and Agribusiness Sectors
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T W C Capital (Pvt) Ltd (TWC Capital), the corporate finance advisory arm of TWC Holdings, has successfully completed two major development finance transactions as the Exclusive Financial Adviser for investments by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, totalling up to US$28 million across Sri Lanka’s renewable energy and agribusiness sectors.
TWC Capital advised WindForce PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading renewable energy company, and New Anthoney’s Farms Group (NAF), one of the country’s largest poultry producers, in securing long-term IFC financing aimed at accelerating investment, expanding exports, creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable growth in two key sectors of the Sri Lankan economy.
Commenting on the transactions, Rasanja Perera, CEO of TWC Capital, said the successful deals demonstrate the continued ability of well-structured Sri Lankan businesses to attract international investment despite challenging global market conditions.
He highlighted that development finance institutions such as IFC require robust transaction structuring, effective stakeholder coordination and disciplined execution, adding that TWC Capital is proud to have supported both companies in securing long-term capital that will deliver economic, environmental and social benefits.
Thilan Wijesinghe, Founder and Executive Chairman of TWC Holdings, stated that mobilising international institutional capital and foreign direct investment into strategic sectors has remained a key focus of TWC’s mission.
He noted that the latest transactions bring the total value of offshore development finance and foreign direct investment mobilised by TWC for Sri Lanka over the past 12 months to approximately US$125 million, with the company continuing efforts to connect leading Sri Lankan businesses with global investors, development finance institutions and multilateral agencies.
The largest of the two transactions involved an IFC commitment of up to US$18 million through a local currency financing facility to support the development of Sri Lanka’s first utility-scale 100MW solar power project by WindForce PLC.
The renewable energy project is expected to generate approximately 220 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, contributing to national energy security, reducing long-term power costs and creating opportunities for future battery energy storage solutions.
EDB, IFC and EU Empower Eastern Province SMEs Through Export Readiness Programme
