Sri Lanka to reapply for GSP + for next period

10 May 2023 04:42 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka will reply for the GSP (Generalized Scheme of Preferences) + trade facility for the European Union market under the revised criterion for the period between 2024 and 2034, a Minister said yesterday.

The European Commission, on September 22, 2021, adopted a legislative proposal for the next ten-year period.

The current GSP Regulation is set to expire by the end of this year. The Commission says it is proposing to continue the scheme while improving some of its key features.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told Daily Mirror a joint Cabinet paper had been submitted seeking approval to reapply for GSP + . The Minister said he held talks with Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni on Monday in this regard.

“They are concerned about the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill,” he said.

The EU's GSP comprises three arrangements, and one is the standard GSP for low and lower-middle income countries. This means a partial or full removal of customs duties on two-thirds of tariff lines.

The GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance. GSP+ slashes these same tariffs to 0 percent for vulnerable low- and lower-middle income countries that implement 27 international conventions related to labour and human rights, environmental and climate protection, and good governance.

The third arrangement is EBA (Everything But Arms) for least developed countries (LDCs), providing them with duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for all products except arms and ammunition. GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 11

Amaran Wednesday, 10 May 2023 05:29 AM

It is Generalised SYSTEM, not Scheme

Lion Wednesday, 10 May 2023 07:00 AM

European Union must insist that ,human rights of the people should be preserved as a pre condition to grant this facility.

Jude Wednesday, 10 May 2023 07:00 AM

SL government don't deserve to get a extension of GSP plus, first and foremost, the leader don't have the mandate to govern the country. The human Rights situation appalling. And the leaders coming with the Very unpopular ATB to oppress the opposition and control assembly of people!!

Eper Wednesday, 10 May 2023 07:27 AM

As we need to more competitive in the international market for our exports, the GSP concession will be of a great advantage. The state should also ensure that all proceeds earned should be strictly repatriated.

Jude Wednesday, 10 May 2023 08:07 AM

Foreign countries should help to get rid of RANIL who don't have a mandate to run the country!! It's simply ridiculous when one corrupted leader resigned another corrupted leader take over!! RANIL making mockery of the constitution!! And to make things worse bringing in ATB to oppress the opposition and to stop assembly of people!! Needless to say human Rights situation appalling yeah!!

jan Wednesday, 10 May 2023 08:37 AM

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SURUTINIZING SRILANKA PRESENT GOVERNMENT HANDLING PASKU KILLINGS, ECONOMIC SABOTAGE, HIGHEST LEVELS OF CORRUPTIONS, PRESSURIZING INNOCENT SRILANKANS FREE PROTEST WHILE GETTING 2/3 MAJORITY, MISLEADING ECONOMIC STATISTICS TO FOOL IMF ALL THIS CONCERNS TO GET BACK GSPLUS

joshua Wednesday, 10 May 2023 08:41 AM

GSP plus should not be extended without the ATA being abolished or amended. The government's undemocratic acts should be dealt with by the international community.

European Wednesday, 10 May 2023 09:59 AM

Why should European taxpayers clean up the mess you made yourselves by electing corrupt and incapable politicians? You massively and democratically voted for this lot. And so where is mr. Gotabaja? Europe need our money to keep out Russia.

European Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10:01 AM

To Jude: so where is the democratically elected mr. Gotabaja?

Lasantha de Silva, homosexual in Sri Lanka Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10:36 AM

Reply to Jude, jan, Joshua etc. : so what about the LGBT community that you all bash and insult in comments in this newspaper over and over again. What about their human rights? You are only concerned about your own financial situation and how you can benefit from GSP.

lester Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:28 AM

if they are keeping GSP hostage to change laws and human rights in this country, better stay away from GSP after all. No need to bend over backwards to Europeans to gain this concession but Ranil will bow down to them anyway

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Sri Lanka to reapply for GSP + for next period

Comments - 11

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