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Government firm on EU

5 July 2010 02:33 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

The Sri Lankan government says it has taken the necessary measures to mitigate the impact created by the loss of GSP plus from the EU and added that there will not be any change in the government position regarding the EU conditions.

“We will not accept the conditions put forward by the EU. We are very clear on that. The Sri Lankan government has made alternative arrangements to mitigate the impact. The GSP loss is only around 85 Million Euros and we are also looking at other markets to meet our needs,” Minister Rambukwella told Daily mirror online.

The EU has expressed regret over Sri Lanka’s decision to remain silent on the proposals by the EU for Sri Lanka to obtain a temporary extension of the GSP plus benefits by meeting some conditions.

"We very much regret the choice of Sri Lanka not to take up an offer made in good faith and in line with the EU commitment to a global human rights agenda. We will however keep the door open for Sri Lanka to return to talks," EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton said in a statement today. "Our precedent-setting offer sought to recognise some tangible progress yielded during these last months of dialogue," added EU Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "We hope that these results, however partial, will be sustained, in line with the incentivising characteristics of GSP+."

Based on dialogue with the Sri Lankan authorities on shortcomings in its implementation of three UN human rights conventions, the EU in June offered to delay the entry into force of the Council decision by a further six months. In exchange, it asked for tangible and sustainable progress on a number of outstanding issues. In the absence of a reply from the authorities in Colombo by 1 July, the Commission is not in a position to table a proposal with a view to delaying the Council Decision, the EU said. (Daily Mirror online)


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  Comments - 20

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  • Mayrooran Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:01 AM

    We have lots of left over garments, Govt will come up with new "receipie" we will all eat "cloth meal", and we can also sell this new cloth meal to other countries too. New invention by SL.

    Pon Tuesday, 06 July 2010 02:05 PM

    Please Mr. Minister dont keep us in suspense reveal us your mighty plan of how you are going to mitigate the loss from GSP. The suspense is killing us!

    savor grapes Tuesday, 06 July 2010 12:14 PM

    savor grapes. that's ok you poor people

    BUGGER Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:44 AM

    Dear Lankan Lion,problem is begging is also permited

    jfdo Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:30 AM

    Removal of GSP+ is due to terrorists money lobbying power.Not due to war crimes.Other countries have worst war crimes committed. UN is not batting an eyelid.why?

    MK Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:14 AM

    Its already revealed man!! read some news and some reports a bit more. You will know...

    Dushyantha Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:04 AM

    If the Govt had an alternative plans why did the FM Ministry go with the begging bowl, ?

    Ishan

    Tiptop Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:41 AM

    Sri Lanka labor costs are high compared to other countries producing garments. This is due to the artificially high value of the Sri Lanka rupee. This was off set to some extent with the GSP+ concession. Now our export prices will be too high to compete in the garments market.

    I Hussein Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:38 AM

    May we know what are your altenative plans that you keep boasting about, many feel that there is a disaster on the way.

    ajith Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:17 AM

    “You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it’s good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.”

    Romesh Monday, 05 July 2010 06:41 PM

    Ha .. ha .. Bye-bye EU! Good luck in getting top-quality affordable clothes from elsewhere. This will teach you to degrade 'little brown people.'

    bash Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:55 AM

    Bangladesh cost of living is low and the minimum wage at present is US$ 24.00per month, please remove the fuel tax, exorbitant defense budget etc and bring down our cost of living to start with

    anura Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:44 AM

    Now Sri Lanka is cured from GSP+ disease

    MaPer Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:43 AM

    What are the measures the government intends taking to mitigate the impact of the suspension of GSP+? Does it intend obtaining assistance for this too, from India & China? They will never assist us in anything especially regarding textiles & garments, services, manufacture of electronic accessories etc. - as they too are in this line of business and if they were to assist Sri Lanka there would be a conflict of interests. Doest the government realise this?

    Kamal Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:29 AM

    Lankan Lion, how come you a Lankan Lion, when worry to get some carrot, in exchange of the mother land?

    rajitha Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:28 AM

    We need to know what are the so called necessory measures, setting up brothels to cater the tourism???

    Bluff Bluff Tuesday, 06 July 2010 03:58 AM

    Reveal to the country what action you have taken to mitigate the impact. As citizens of this country we need to know what they are.

    muneer Tuesday, 06 July 2010 12:10 AM

    GSP+ is a concession given to a select group of countries by waving import tax, which made us very competitive with other suppliers to EU. Now we have lost this competitive edge, while others still continue to enjoy it. At the end of the day, we are certainly the losers!

    muneer Monday, 05 July 2010 10:51 PM

    Let us sit with our politicians and enjoy the kevum ...

    Lankan Lion Monday, 05 July 2010 07:27 PM

    'Necessary measures have been taken to mitigate the impact'? 'My foot'! We will see more and more people on the road begging for food whereas these fat politicians will enjoy opulent food.


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