Inspired by Sri Lanka’s industrial heritage and aspiring towards Industry 5.0, the i5Five Strategy 2026 sets out IDB’s vision for a more innovative, sustainable and competitive manufacturing sector. Its five pillars support the 2030 ambition of 20% manufacturing contribution to GDP and USD 25 billion in merchandise exports—Beyond Development, Towards Transformation.

View the iFive Strategy 2026

Launched in May 2026, SME Nexus is a National framework for engaging Sri Lanka’s one million SMEs. Through five strategic directions, three implementation approaches and 11 pillars, it connects enterprises to finance, markets, technology and knowledge. Sequential relationship management helps each enterprise progress from initial engagement to a tailored HGEP Level-Up Portfolio, strengthening competitiveness and sustainable growth.

View the SME Nexus Framework

Excellence as a Roadmap, Not a Trophy
The i5 Industry Excellence Framework helps enterprises benchmark their progress across enterprise strength, manufacturing performance and transformation capability. The insights will be developed into manufacturing and industrial case studies, giving other enterprises practical examples to learn from and apply. The strongest stories and capabilities will then feed into the 2027 Industry Exposition, where industries can demonstrate progress, build partnerships and open new pathways to markets—turning recognition into wider industrial transformation.

Food Testing That Helps Enterprises Level Up

IDB’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited Food Analytical Testing Laboratory in Katubedda helps food enterprises move from product development towards stronger quality assurance and market readiness. Affordable chemical, quality and microbiological testing gives producers of bakery products, snacks, spices and fruit beverages evidence to improve their products, address safety requirements and build buyer confidence. It is a practical step towards higher standards and business growth.

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The planned National Industrial Product Development and Tooling Centre will help manufacturers move from ideas to market-ready products through design, prototyping, tooling and production support. By strengthening local component development and product quality, it aims to increase value addition, reduce import dependence and improve competitiveness in domestic and global markets.

The feeder-zone concept connects IDB estates to BOI zones and wider regional ecosystems through suppliers, engineering, packaging, logistics, finance, skills, digital services and circular-economy infrastructure. The GIS layer makes that relationship visible spatially and supports investment and ecosystem planning.

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Building the Next Generation via IEC
Industry and Entrepreneur Circles (IEC) take industrial thinking into Schools
IEC is designed to build problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and leadership while helping students understand how an idea becomes a productive, competitive and scalable enterprise.