Sri Lanka-Turkey Trade Relations

Sri Lanka-Turkey Trade Relations

Sri Lanka- Türkiye bilateral economic relations

The economic relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye have shown a steady and encouraging growth over the past three decades, strengthened by the expanding trade, institutional cooperation, and emerging investment and tourism opportunities.

Bilateral trade has increased significantly from a modest USD 17 million in 1990 to over USD 250 million in 2025, reflecting a positive trajectory despite still being below its full potential. Türkiye has steadily risen as an export destination for Sri Lanka, ranking as its 20^th largest export market in 2024, compared to 81^st position in 1977. Sri Lanka’s exports to Türkiye are heavily dominated by tea, which accounts for nearly 70% of total exports, followed by apparel, activated carbon, coconut-based products, rubber goods, and spices. On the import side, Türkiye ranks as Sri Lanka’s 24th largest supplier, with key imports including wheat flour, man-made filaments, machinery parts, plastics, and chemical products.

Ongoing institutional mechanisms, such as the Sri Lanka–Türkiye Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) have emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, specially achieving the agreed bilateral trade volume of USD 500 million. Since its inception in 2016, the JCETC has convened three sessions, most recently in Colombo in July 2025, focusing on a wide range of sectors including trade promotion, investment, engineering services, education, technology, agriculture, energy, and tourism. These engagements reflect a shared commitment to deepening cooperation in a sustainable and mutually beneficial manner.

Investment relations between the two countries remain relatively modest, even though the two sides are actively exploring opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, and IT/BPO services. Business-to-business engagement has been facilitated by organizations such as the DEİK/Türkiye-Sri Lanka Business Council, which works closely with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to promote partnerships and investment flows.

Tourism has also emerged as a promising area of collaboration. Although Türkiye accounted for a relatively small share of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2024, post-pandemic recovery has been strong, with significant year-on-year growth. Enhanced air connectivity, particularly through Turkish Airlines with its daily flights to Colombo from Istanbul, has further supported this upward trend

 

List of Agreements MoUs between Sri Lanka and Türkiye

 1. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

 2. Trade Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

 3. Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Turkey on Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters

 4. Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Republic of Turkey for the Avoidance of Double Taxation the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income

 5. MoU between the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

 6. MoU between the Konya Chamber of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

 7. MoU between the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

 8. MoU between the Manisa Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

 9. MoU between the Erzurum Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

10. MoU between the Sinop Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

11. MoU between the Adana Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

12. MoU between the Adana Chamber of Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

13. MoU between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) of Türkiye and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka

 

Sri Lankan Products

Ceylon Tea  World finest tea  Unblended pure Ceylon tea  Hand plucked  Diversity of flavours , aroma & taste  Ethically produced Ozone friendly tea  Honored by the Rainforest Alliance  Closer to minds & tastes of Turkish people

 

Rubber based products Quality natural rubber Wide range of products Usage of state of art technology World renowned brands i.e. (ATG)

 

Ceylon Spices  Sri Lanka offers world’s best quality Ceylon Pepper, Ceylon Cardamom, Ceylon Nutmeg, Ceylon   cloves with unique aroma and flavour

 

Ceylon Cinnamon The first Geographical Indication (GI) from Sri Lanka is registered in the EU. #CeylonCinnamon, a cultural and culinary heritage of Sri Lanka, is a unique variety of Cinnamon, with distinctive qualities enjoying a global reputation.  Ceylon Cinnamon indigenous to Sri Lanka  Healthy & unique  Super quality, soothing colour, aroma and great texture  Superior & healthier than Cassia which is unhealthy and cheap

 

The Differences Between Ceylon Cinnamon and Cassia

	Ceylon Cinnamon	Cassia
Stick	Quill is contained with number of folders or layer and   dense centers	Quill is contained only one inward folded and hollow   centers
Texture	Less firm, thin and papery	More firm, rougher thick bark
Colour	Tan brown, light color	Reddish dark borwn
Aroma	Potent fragrance	No fragrant
Taste	Lighter, delicate and sweet taste	Stronger and hotter taste

 

Coconut and Coconut Based Products  Sri Lanka supplies varieties top quality coconut based products  Desiccated coconut, Virgin coconut oil, Coconut Cream, Coconut Butter, Coconut   Arrack, Coco-peat and value added Coco-peat (grow bags, grow cubes, disks, coir   blocks),   Activated carbon, Shells, Fiber & Processed fiber products.