The United Nations Development Programme has partnered with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to create a specialized support unit aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and advancing industrial growth through technical expertise and evidence-based policymaking.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development have formalized a strategic collaboration through a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. The partnership aims to establish an Expert Support Unit embedded within the Ministry to accelerate industrial development and enhance the country's economic competitiveness.
The Expert Support Unit will operate as a multidisciplinary team of specialists providing technical, analytical, and coordination support across key priority areas. These include small and medium enterprise development, industrial zone expansion, trade policy, digital transformation, data analytics, skills development, and international relations. Officials stated the unit is designed to deliver targeted expertise that will strengthen programme implementation and foster policy innovation.
According to Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the partnership represents a significant step toward building institutions capable of responding to emerging industrial challenges and opportunities. Abeysinghe emphasized the government's focus on supporting entrepreneurs and industries to contribute to national economic transformation. UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota noted that the initiative demonstrates the organization's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's reform agenda through innovative institutional mechanisms, with potential benefits including job creation and improved integration into global value chains.
The initiative is expected to facilitate the rapid deployment of technical specialists while strengthening systems for project management and performance measurement. UNDP has indicated plans to mobilize support from development partners and private sector stakeholders to ensure the unit's sustainability and impact. The Expert Support Unit is positioned to strengthen institutional capabilities over time through knowledge transfer and capacity-building activities.
