Sri Lankan trade body champions AI to unlock SME export potential

A prominent Sri Lankan trade body has intensified its campaign to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to embrace artificial intelligence technologies as a means of strengthening their export capabilities across the South and Southeast Asian region.

The initiative recognizes that SMEs face significant barriers to scaling operations and accessing international markets, with many lacking the technological infrastructure and digital tools necessary to compete effectively. Proponents argue that AI adoption can streamline production processes, enhance product quality, and enable SMEs to identify new market opportunities more efficiently.

The trade organization has positioned AI integration as a critical lever for economic growth, particularly as regional trade dynamics continue to evolve. By equipping SMEs with advanced technologies, the body contends that enterprises can reduce operational costs, improve supply chain management, and tailor their offerings to meet international standards and buyer specifications.

The push for AI adoption also reflects broader efforts across the region to modernize industrial capabilities and increase export revenues. Officials suggest that targeted support mechanisms, including training programs and access to affordable technology solutions, will be essential to facilitating widespread AI implementation among smaller enterprises that typically operate with limited capital and technical expertise.

As Sri Lanka and its neighboring economies seek to diversify export portfolios and strengthen their positions in global trade networks, technology-driven solutions like artificial intelligence are increasingly viewed as essential tools for sustainable business growth and competitiveness.