Sri Lanka pledges incentives to boost exports, value-added products
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that incentives will be introduced to encourage export diversification and the development of value-added products, the President's Media Division said Saturday.
The president said the government should support industries rather than hinder them, and stressed the importance of consulting with relevant sectors during the regulation drafting process while allowing sufficient time for implementation.
Dissanayake made these remarks on Friday at the Presidential Secretariat during the 2026 pre-budget discussion with private sector representatives from the agriculture, food and beverage sectors, according to the department.
The meeting focused on providing facilities for farmers, exports, tax concessions, recycling, and the legal framework affecting the sector.
Extensive discussion was also held on ensuring a continuous supply of quality agricultural and food products to consumers, as well as the challenges faced by businesses, with participants sharing their views and proposals.
The president pointed to the lack of a systematic approach for distributing products to consumers, emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation between the government and the private sector to address these challenges.
Dissanayake further explained that the government is focusing on securing full private sector support to expand markets for agricultural produce, dairy, and livestock. While value addition is the responsibility of entrepreneurs, he said the government intends to introduce a new framework to facilitate the process.
