SME NEXUS National SME Strategy Framework 2026 to revolutionize business landscape in Sri Lanka
The SME NEXUS National SME Strategy Framework 2026 was officially launched in Colombo on May 13, 2026. Held at the Grand Maitland, the initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, focuses on empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through digital transformation and policy consistency.
The main purpose of the initiative was to remove structural barriers and connect local entrepreneurs with strategic resources, innovation, and global markets. SMEs in Sri Lanka represent over 75% of all registered businesses, employ 45% of the workforce, and account for 52% of the national GDP. The strategy is built around 11 pillars focused on institutional integration, policy stability, and technological empowerment.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participating in the 2nd day of the dialog on “National SME Strategy Framework 2026 said the country is implementing its transformative agenda during a period of global instability and disruptive global context stressing the importance of adaptation, sustainability and building resilience, particularly within the SME sector in such context. Underscoring the importance of the SME policy framework, the Prime Minister stated that the government’s role is to ensure consistency, stability and collaboration within the sector.
The Prime Minister opined that this framework is critical because it brings policy consistency and stability to the sector. This framework is about policy consistency, bringing stability into the sector, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that policies are evidence-based and driven by a long-term vision rather than short-term agendas.
This initiative is critical for bringing a fragmented and uncoordinated sector into a cohesive and better-coordinated platform that is driven by policy consistency.
As a government, she said they believe this is fundamentally their role in bringing in consistency and establish an ecosystem that fosters collaboration and which allows for teamwork, and build people’s confidence to take risks and innovate. She said the people must feel assured that policies will not constantly change and that the government itself will not become the source of disruption. “It is through consistency, stability and the confidence these provide that we can truly drive this initiative forward. I would like to congratulate all of you for taking this very important initiative,” she added.
The occasion was attended by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Krishantha Abeysena, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Australian Deputy High commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ruth Baird and Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara and industry representatives.
Vignettes of the event. Pictures by Sudath Malaweera
Source ;Daily News