Osaka, Japan – October 2025
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Sri Lanka hosted a comprehensive Business Forum attended by Japanese corporate leaders, investors, and trade experts. The forum showcased the island nation as a diverse business hub with strong potential in trade, investment, and tourism.
Key Highlights:
- 20 Leading Exporters Participated: Representing tea, apparel, gems, IT, and handicrafts.
- Investment Seminars: Focused on renewable energy, infrastructure, and tech-driven sectors.
- Tourism Integration: Sri Lanka promoted eco-tourism, wellness tourism, and cultural heritage experiences alongside exports, creating a holistic national branding strategy.
Strategic Goals:
- Strengthen bilateral trade with Japan.
- Promote Sri Lanka as a destination for investment and high-quality tourism.
- Build long-term partnerships between Sri Lankan SMEs and Japanese corporations.
Historical Context
Sri Lanka has traditionally relied on tea, apparel, and gems as core exports. However, recent reforms aim to diversify exports, integrate tourism into the national trade strategy, and attract foreign investment into infrastructure and digital sectors.
Tourism Tie-In:
By combining tourism promotion with trade, Sri Lanka showcases its cultural richness, scenic beauty, and heritage attractions, making it appealing not just for investors, but also for international tourists seeking experiential travel.
