Western Province Governor Hanif Yousuf has announced that Sri Lanka is actively exploring opportunities to position itself as a regional e-commerce hub, following high-level discussions with senior executives from Alibaba Group and Daraz.
These talks build on a recent meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai in Dubai. Key areas of focus included the creation of a dedicated e-commerce channel at Customs, expanding the use of digital payments, and promoting cross-border trade.
Governor Yousuf highlighted the critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in advancing the nation’s digitalisation efforts. He emphasized that fostering a strong and open digital economy is vital for economic growth, boosting exports, and broadening the country’s tax base.
