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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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EU told to waive fish import duty Sri Lanka is appealing to the European Union to waive its duty on fish imports considering the loss of 70 percent of its fishing fleet stemming from the recent Asian tsunami. The island's exports of fish to the EU is subject to 18 percent for fillets and 22 percent of whole fish, while the Maldives, Bangladesh, Indonesia and other countries enjoy duty-free exports to the EU. Just 50 percent of the island's fish exports is now possible, the Seafood Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) said. In 2004 Sri Lanka exported 17,000 tonnes of fish. The 2003 value of exports is Rs 4.9 billion (Rs 95 to a US dollar). "The Maldives had successfully fought their case and gained GSP (General Sales Preference) for its exports of fish to the EU," SEASL president, Roshan Fernando said. SEASL had appealed to the Miniseries of Commerce, Fisheries and Foreign Affairs to intercede on its behalf. Sri Lanka's main fish importers are UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries. The island's main exports are tuna, bill fish, marlene, slappers, groupers, baracuda, trevalley, reef fish and swimming crabs. Other fish exports include prawns, lobsters, crabs, Bech de mer, shark fins and molluses. (EL) |
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