Colombo to host 16th World Export Development Forum

Efforts to showcase new reform to attract investment, $ 80 m signed declarations of intent at 2015 conference

Colombo will host the 16th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) in Colombo in October to boost trade and attract Foreign Direct Investment.

According to a proposal made by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation, to host this annual flagship event of ITC in Sri Lanka with its financial contribution. 

WEDF will host the conference under the theme ‘Trade for Success: Connect, Compete, Change’. The conference is expected to highlight the country’s openness to international business and efforts towards an improved business environment. 

The Government expects the stakeholders all over the world related to the exports sector will participate for the occasion. 

At WEDF 2015, organisations signed declarations of intent valued at $ 80 million, according to the World Export Development Forum website.

 During the conference participants are also expected to discuss new trends in business including mega-regional agreements such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

Trade facilitation and logistics remain key drivers of improved connectivity. B2B meetings will be facilitated in the following sectors: Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs); tourism; specialty food, including tea and spices; processed food; apparel; rubber and manufacturing.