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Mumbai, August 10, 2026: The Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), hosted the Sri Lanka–India Trade & Investment Promotion Event in Mumbai today, bringing together senior Sri Lankan officials, exporters, industry representatives and Indian business leaders to explore new opportunities for trade, investment, sourcing and business partnerships.

The event reaffirmed the strong economic relationship between the two neighbouring countries, with discussions focusing on emerging opportunities across manufacturing, technology, services, food processing, green technology and the gem and jewellery sector.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan delegation, Viraj Kulkarni, Chairman, International Trade and Commerce Committee, Bombay Chamber, highlighted the Chamber’s role in facilitating international business partnerships. He said, “At Bombay Chamber, we believe in collaborations and we believe in partnerships.” He noted that the Chamber’s extensive international engagement provides businesses with platforms to build connections and explore new markets.

Priyanga Wickramasinghe , Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, said the event was an important step towards converting the longstanding India–Sri Lanka relationship into new commercial opportunities. “Today’s gathering is not just about celebrating a shared history, it is about looking forward and turning mutual intent into tangible high value commercial partnerships,” she said. She highlighted Sri Lanka’s National Export Development Plan 2026–2030, which seeks to transform the country into a knowledge-intensive, high-value and sustainability-driven regional export and logistics hub, with Indian enterprises playing an important role in this vision.

She also highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in the gem and jewellery sector, where Sri Lanka’s globally recognised coloured gemstones complement India’s strengths in jewellery manufacturing, processing, design and global distribution. Wickramasinghe invited Indian businesses to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, scheduled from 14–17 January 2027 in Colombo, which will bring together leading Sri Lankan exporters, international buyers and investors.

Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, outlined Sri Lanka’s ambitions to expand its export footprint and deepen economic engagement with India. “As close neighbours, we believe there is a tremendous potential to further strengthen our trade and investment partnership, particularly in sectors where both our countries possess unique strengths,” he said.

According to Wijesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new National Export Development Plan targets more than US$36 billion in export revenue by 2030, with an emphasis on product and market diversification. He also highlighted the opportunity for Indian companies to use Sri Lanka as an export and investment hub, leveraging its strategic location, skills and access to international markets.

The discussions identified several sectors with strong potential for Indian businesses, including apparel and textiles, tea and beverages, spices, rubber and coconut-based products, fisheries, shipbuilding, electrical and electronics, ICT, tourism, education and professional services. The EDB also highlighted existing Indian exports to Sri Lanka, including petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles and agricultural equipment, pointing to significant scope for further expansion of two-way trade.

A key focus of the event was Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry. Prof. S. P. Chaminda, Chairman and CEO, National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka, outlined the Authority’s role across mining, value addition and exports and highlighted the potential for closer collaboration with India’s jewellery industry. Sri Lankan gem exporters also presented opportunities for Indian jewellery manufacturers, designers and retailers, including potential partnerships, joint ventures and the development of value-added jewellery for global markets.

The Sri Lankan delegation showcased the country’s expertise in natural coloured gemstones, particularly sapphires, rubies, cat’s eye and star sapphires, along with its focus on certification and international quality standards. The delegation also invited Indian businesses to participate in Facets Sri Lanka 2027, the country’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition, scheduled for January 2027.

The Sri Lankan delegation further extended an invitation to Indian businesses to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, being organised after a 15-year gap. The exhibition will feature Sri Lankan exporters, international buyers and investors, B2B meetings, thematic pavilions and an investor forum. Registered buyers and investors will also receive facilitation including accommodation and transportation support.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A and B2B networking session, enabling Indian businesses to engage directly with Sri Lankan exporters and explore opportunities for collaboration across trade, investment, manufacturing, services and gems and jewellery.