The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) has further strengthened its long-standing strategic partnership with Ernst & Young (EY), reaffirming a shared commitment to enhancing the competitiveness, resilience, and global readiness of Sri Lankan exporters.
The partnership, which has successfully continued over several years, was recently renewed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Following the renewal of the MoU, an NCE delegation led by President Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa, together with Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer Shiham Marikar and Executive, Operations Enuri Gurusinghe, met with Gayathri Manatunga, Country Managing Partner (CMP) of EY Sri Lanka and the Maldives, to discuss expanding the scope of collaboration in response to emerging global trade challenges and opportunities.
Over the years, EY has been an invaluable Strategic Knowledge Partner of the NCE, providing professional expertise in areas such as financial management, taxation, corporate governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and business advisory services.
During the discussions, both organizations agreed to further leverage EY’s extensive global expertise to support Sri Lankan exporters in addressing evolving international trade requirements. Particular emphasis was placed on the increasing complexity of tariff-related regulations, market access requirements, and compliance obligations being introduced by key export destinations.
NCE and EY will collaborate to organize a series of knowledge-sharing initiatives, including seminars, workshops, executive briefings, and practical awareness programmes aimed at helping exporters better understand international regulatory developments and develop effective compliance strategies.
The partnership will also focus on assisting exporters in developing comprehensive compliance frameworks covering areas such as supply chain traceability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, customs compliance, trade documentation, international tax implications, transfer pricing, sustainability reporting, corporate governance, and enterprise risk management. These initiatives will support Sri Lankan exporters in strengthening their competitiveness while reducing potential trade risks.
The NCE highlighted that this collaboration comes at a significant time for Sri Lanka’s export sector, with the country embarking on an ambitious export-led growth strategy through the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030.
At a time when international markets are placing greater emphasis on compliance, sustainability, transparency, and responsible supply chains, national-level support mechanisms are essential to ensure Sri Lankan exporters are equipped to meet these obligations.
Furthermore, EY will guide the NCE on international best practices, with particular emphasis on how other exporting nations are responding to U.S. tariff measures and other emerging global trade regulations.
In addition, the partnership will explore other emerging areas of importance to exporters, including digital transformation, data analytics for export businesses, cybersecurity, evolving international tax policies, investment facilitation, business restructuring, customs and trade advisory services, climate-related disclosures, sustainability assurance, artificial intelligence applications, and strategies for building resilient and future-ready export enterprises.
Speaking on the strengthened collaboration, the NCE stated that partnerships with globally respected professional organizations such as EY are essential in equipping Sri Lankan exporters with the knowledge, expertise, and practical tools required to navigate an increasingly complex international trading environment.
