Authorities should strive to regain GSP+: Exporters

29 July 2013 03:35 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Authorities must continue to take steps towards securing GSP+ facilities to Sri Lanka in order to re-energize the country’s export sector, according to outgoing Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) Chairperson, Dawn Austin.

“The benefits anticipated from GSP+ would have energized the export sector like no other incentive can ever achieve. If there is any possibility, I would urge the authorities to consider this facility as a special case which will, without a shadow of a doubt, result in exponential growth,” Austin stated.

Sri Lanka lost preferential access to European Union market in 2010 following the country’s failure to meet the required human rights conventions that were embedded with the trade facilitation.

The government claimed that the removal of GSP+ facility had no effect on the economy with the apparel manufacturers getting more orders going forward from new markets.

However, the global economic downturn and the flooding of European Union markets with cheap products from China, Bangladesh and Vietnam, the removal of the GSP+ facility was estimated to have cost the country US $ 1.5 billion.

Austin went on to highlight Sri Lanka’s recent eligibility for a new GSP+ facility introduced by the government of Norway.

“The new facility has increased the product coverage and widened concessions and provided an opening for lower middle income countries to diversify their exports and exports of Textiles and Apparel,” she noted.

The new facility, if secured, entitles Sri Lankan exports to enjoy duty free access for all industrial products including all textile items.

About 40 per cent of Sri Lanka’s Rs.2.5 billion exports to Norway were in textile and apparel however the facility also provides preference on selected agricultural products, an area of particular interest for the country.

Meanwhile, discussing the need for further integration with regional trade in the Asian region, Austin noted with dissatisfaction the implementation of nontariff barriers for Sri Lankan exports to India in the recent past.

“While India continues to be Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, the Exporters Association has already alerted authorities that despite the Free Trade Agreements between Sri Lanka and India being in place, there are inexplicable and insidious Non-Tariff Barriers being implemented to dissuade exporters from tapping into supplying the cast Indian retail market.” Austin stated.

While acknowledging efforts from the Ministry of Commerce to redress such issues, she urged exporters to bring anomalies in dealing with the Indian market to the attention of officials.

“It is imperative to ensure that all aspects are covered with an effectively implemented Mutual Recognition Agreement on standards, testing and certification between the two countries which is outside the terms of reference of CEPA.” Austin asserted.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Authorities should strive to regain GSP+: Exporters

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

New Visa procedure implemented

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations