a camouflage Mickey Wickramasinghe Govt dances to the tune of India

Home-grown entrepreneur and Chairman of Ceylon Biscuits Limited Mickey Wickramasinghe, in an interview with Dailymirror, says the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is a camouflage for the Compressive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) proposed with India during the previous rule. The attempt to sign that agreement was thwarted at that time. Mr. Wickramasinghe said he had a bitter experience in his manufacturing business in India. He said he was doing successful manufacturing and export business with some other countries, but in India, he had a bitter experience. 

QHow do you see the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India as an exporter trading with that country? 
What happened in history before ETCA? We marched when the government refused to listen to us. We refused what India tried to do at that time. We marched to President’s House. That was the end of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Today, the government seems to be doing what India exactly wants. If India asks the government to turn left, it will act accordingly. This is our country. We have no voice. ETCA is a camouflage, a wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing. Industrialists, professionals, and the business community marched in unison against it.  

QWhat is your experience in trading with India?
I can write a book. I went to India with a lot of hope. I first went to Chennai. They came here and invited me to start a factory. I went to Tamil Nadu. From there, I went to the North because I bought of a bigger factory. I operated it. Then, Indians became envious. They saw us, the people from a small island coming to India and running businesses successfully. I bought a company which was number 3 in India, manufacturing biscuits. Indians like their country. 

When they had nothing, their Supreme Court ruled that Ceylon Biscuits had made a mistake. Therefore, it was ordered to be re-auctioned. I fought a bit and got my money back. Then, I withdrew my case.  

Actually, there was an Indian company making bicycles in Panadura. They approached me and asked for the establishment of a joint venture in Chennai. I agreed and said I wanted the major share. We were working well in Chennai. But, then, they made obstacles in Chennai. 

They imposed sales taxes and countervailing duties. Countervailing duty was much higher. When the going became bad, I shifted to the North. 

That was how I bought it and ran it for eight years. I did not want to run two factories. After eight years, a hostile atmosphere developed. I had reached the break even point. It was coming up nicely. 
The Indian Supreme Court ruled that the lower courts had made a mistake by giving it to me. What was the mistake? If the lower courts had made a mistake, they should penalize those responsible, not me. I lost the whole business and had to close down.  

Q What kind of assistance had you got from the Sri Lankan authorities at the time you presented your case?
They were a bunch of cowards, like today, dancing to the tunes of the Indians.  

QWhat is your stand on ETCA?
It is the camouflage for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Everybody has said, not only me.  

QWhat did you propose to the government?
I am asking the government not to bluff people. Only a name change is there, others are identical. The government must be loyal to its people, not to foreigners. They will do the same. Complaints will not be answered even.   

Q: What is the best way to do trading with India?  
Why only India? The whole world is there. Why is one turning to someone hostile and jealous of Sri Lanka? We have only 20 million people. India has 1.6 billion. These tiny islanders are doing better. We are not only good at cricket. We are also good at other matters. We are the 10th biggest importer of Indian goods. They should respect us.   

QThe government says that India is a huge market and access should be secured for it somehow. What are your views?
It can be the biggest market. They cannot buy our quality goods. Thus there is a huge trade imbalance. India is turning to China. But, the Chinese are not fools.   

QHave you any plans to do business with China?
I have been there. I have passed the age of working now. We are in Myanmar. Engaged in trading. In Bangladesh, we are actually manufacturing.  

QWhat should Sri Lanka do to put the house in order for trading with foreign countries?
Export trade is not an easy task. People are not waiting with their hands open for you to export. They also have their own problems. Business is business. We have to realize it, not to think of favours. Nobody wants to do favours. 

The government’s support for local businessmen is minimal. Substandard imports damage industries. The public are open to health hazards. India subsidizes their exporters. We don’t even have an anti-dumping Act. Parliament is not bothered about serious matters of public interest.  

I export to India. I can do more if allowed. There are hidden barriers. When I was doing business with them, they imposed countervailing duties.