Presently Sri Lanka meets the criteria to be ranked as a Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC). Though not equally disbursed over the regions the GDP amounts approximately U$ 1.600 per capita. The GDP raised over the period 2003-2007 from a U$ 18,2 billion to U$ 31,2 Bln. During the same period Sri Lanka’s population raised from 19 million. at 2003 to 19,3 Bln. during 2007. As a result of the economic growth, Sri Lanka does not meet anymore the Netherlands criteria for Development Assistance (ODA).

During the coming years the Netherlands will continue her assistance in the fields of Human Rights support, Humanitarian Relief and Culture. The latter will focus on the importance of the mutual cultural heritance and cultural preservation programs, thus also aiming at boosting the South as an attractive tourist destination. Bi-lateral relations will also pay more emphasis on trade and economic co-operation.

The Netherlands Embassy directly supports the main Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka to carry out development related activities. Partners are the Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCISL), The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the National Chamber of Commerce (NCC). Programs carried out by these partners are aiming at increasing job opportunities, regional development, promotion of female entrepreneurship and innovation. Environmental aspects are addressed by a special program aiming at reduction of the use energy during production processes.

Long term projects and partnerships like the co-operation with the IUCN and the Institute of Policy Studies will be concluded by the year 2010, ending over 30 years of successful development co-operation.