The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the British High Commission in Colombo, successfully conducted a hybrid Awareness Session titled “Enhancing Export Opportunities to the UK through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)” on 11 February 2026. The session, held both physically at the EDB and virtually via Zoom, attracted the participation of nearly 200 exporters and export-related stakeholders from across the country.

The objective of the session was to provide Sri Lankan exporters with practical insights into recent developments under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and to enhance awareness of the opportunities available for expanding exports to the UK market.

The programme commenced with Welcome and Opening Remarks by Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, who highlighted the importance of the United Kingdom as one of Sri Lanka’s key export destinations. He emphasized the significance of the DCTS in offering enhanced market access and simplified trade procedures for Sri Lankan exporters. The Chairman also extended special appreciation to His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, for the guidance and support extended throughout the collaboration, and thanked the British High Commission for its continued cooperation with the EDB.

The main presentation was delivered by Ms. Ellie Parker, Regional Trade for Development Advisor for South, Southeast and Central Asia at the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Her presentation, titled “The UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme – Recent Improvements and How to Claim Preferences,” provided detailed guidance on key reforms under the DCTS, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and practical steps exporters can take to effectively claim tariff preferences.

An interactive Question and Answer session followed, during which exporters raised practical concerns related to compliance requirements, documentation, rules of origin, and utilization of preferences. The discussion enabled participants to gain clarity on how to better leverage the DCTS framework to enhance their competitiveness in the UK market.

The programme concluded with Closing Remarks by Mr. E. L. K. Dissanayake, Acting Director General of the EDB, who thanked the resource persons, collaborating partners, and exporters for their active participation. He reiterated the EDB’s commitment to supporting exporters through targeted awareness programmes and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s export performance.

Overall, the awareness session was highly productive and well received, reinforcing the EDB’s ongoing efforts to equip Sri Lankan exporters with timely knowledge and practical tools to capitalize on emerging international trade opportunities under schemes such as the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).