UK Trade Envoy in Sri Lanka for high-level trade and investment engagements

COLOMBO : The visit signals the UK’s continued commitment to stronger trade and investment ties with Sri Lanka. • It follows the improved zero-tariff benefits for Sri Lankan exports announced in January this year as reforms to the UK’s Developing Countries Trade Scheme. • Lord Hannett will hold talks with ministers and officials on market access, business climate reforms, and bilateral export opportunities. • He will engage UK and Sri Lankan businesses and young entrepreneurs across a range of sectors highlighting the breadth of the bilateral commercial relationship. The UK’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, Lord Hannett of Everton, will return to Colombo from 17 to 19 June 2026, his second visit in span of one year. Lord Hannett’s programme is to feature several high-level engagements with government and business stakeholders. The visit underlines the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening the UK-Sri Lanka trade and investment relationship, supporting a more transparent and predictable business environment, and promoting partnerships that contribute to sustainable economic growth in both countries. During his time here, Lord Hannett will hold discussions with the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Sunil Handunetti and Deputy Minister Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and senior officials from the Export Development Board and Department of Commerce. These meetings aim to discuss Sri Lanka’s reform agenda, market access for UK business, and the improved opportunities that the UK’s Developing Countries Trade Scheme offers for Sri Lanka’s export growth. He will engage with a range of senior business leaders including the Council for Business with Britain to exchange views on investment confidence and commercial opportunities. This includes visiting a range of UK businesses and institutions in market – HSBC, Unilever, Coats Thread Exports, the Land Rover showroom and service centre operated by Access Motors, Ryse Energy, and The Body Shop. He will also meet representatives from the apparel sector, Sri Lankan SME exporters, and young entrepreneurs. He will engage with the higher education sector, focusing on the growing role of UK institutions in supporting Sri Lanka’s skills, employability, and entrepreneurship.
OFFICIAL – FOR PUBLIC RELEASE OFFICIAL – FOR PUBLIC RELEASE OFFICIAL – FOR PUBLIC RELEASE OFFICIAL – FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Ahead of the visit, Lord Hannett said: “I am pleased to return to Colombo and look forward to meeting our valued government partners and business leaders to explore how the UK can deepen collaboration, support growth, and create opportunities for businesses that benefit both our countries. The UK is committed to helping British businesses succeed overseas. I look forward to hearing directly from UK and Sri Lankan businesses across sectors including education, clean energy, retail, manufacturing and technology, including the younger business community who will be driving Sri Lanka’s economic growth in the years ahead. I will also follow up with Sri Lankan SMEs I met during recent trade missions to the UK and hear how UK-funded support is helping them enter the market. With reforms to the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme now in force, Sri Lanka has a stronger platform to grow exports to the UK utilising the zero-tariff benefits. And I am particularly keen to hear how the apparel sector – the biggest winner from the DCTS reforms – is maximising the opportunity. I hope this visit will identify practical opportunities to deepen trade and drive growth in both the UK and Sri Lanka.” The engagements will reflect the breadth of UK commercial interests in Sri Lanka and highlight the contribution of UK brands and investors to jobs, skills, innovation and economic growth in Sri Lanka. The UK also continues to encourage Sri Lanka on continuing to improve the ease of doing business especially ensuring policy stability and regulatory transparency that will help unlock further trade and investment.