Five Export Diversification Options for Sri Lanka

I decided to write an article providing five options I think Sri Lanka can diversify its exports into. I’d like to point out that this isn’t a detailed analysis on how it can be done. It’s my own ideas on improving Sri Lanka’s exports.

Computers & Electronics

Products I’m thinking of are desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and televisions. We can make agreements with international computer & electronics companies to manufacture components of those devices with the goal of making complete devices. Sri Lankan brands can also manufacture computers & electronic items. It’s important to note that the Sri Lankan company EWIS is successfully manufacturing computing devices. EWIS collaborated with Singhagiri to launch Sri Lanka’s SGL Android Smart TV in January 2023. This Smart TV is manufactured in Sri Lanka.

Visual Effects for Hollywood

I’d like to see a Sri Lankan visual effects company work on Hollywood films. Hollywood has outsourced visual effects to some companies in Asia. Even if it’s a very small contribution, it would be a win. We can start this with goals of where we want to be over the next 10 years. As a Sri Lankan sci-fi fan, I would love to see a Sri Lankan visual effects company working on a sci-fi blockbuster. There is also the possibility of securing Sri Lankan offices for international visual effects companies. Hollywood visual effects work would bring in jobs and revenue to Sri Lanka which could help with the issue of brain drain.

Pianos & Keyboards

I think Sri Lanka could get into the industry of making pianos and keyboards. Pianos include grand pianos, upright pianos and digital pianos. Digital pianos and electronic keyboards would also tie into computers & electronics I mentioned above. We can learn from Indonesia, another tropical country which is a successful piano manufacturer. There are pianos of the Japanese brands Kawai and Yamaha made in Indonesia.

Vehicles

Sri Lanka has the potential to get involved in vehicle manufacturing. The Sri Lankan company Vega Innovations has made the Vega EVX, Sri Lanka’s first electric sports car. This project has been promoted for many years, so it would be good if it could begin its sales soon. Last year, Vega Innovations introduced the electric three-wheeler Elektrateq ETX. Electric three-wheelers are a good market to focus on due to three-wheelers’ environmental issues and their use in both Sri Lanka & the developing world. Moving back to cars, I don’t think we should focus exclusively on luxury vehicles as it’s important to make cars for regular consumers.

Planes

I believe planes is an industry Sri Lanka can get involved in. It’s not well known that Sri Lanka already has a boatbuilding industry. Expertise from that industry can be transferred to the manufacturing of planes. It’s good to start off with small planes and have a goal to eventually build aeroplanes. In the aviation sector it’s unfortunate to hear negative stories of Sri Lankan Airlines. Making aeroplanes would be something positive that could transform Sri Lanka’s aviation sector.

Those were my suggestions for Sri Lanka’s export diversification with some real-life initiatives mentioned. Feel free to give your thoughts on this issue including if there are other industries you think Sri Lanka should get involved in as an exporter.