India lifts restrictions on Lankan tea and garments

Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G. L. Peiris welcomed India's gesture in removing port restrictions applied on the exports of tea and apparel from Sri Lanka under the Indo-Sri Lanka FTA.

This was in direct response to the Sri Lankan Minister's request when Prof. Peiris met the Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath recently.

The Indian delegation which is now in Colombo for CEPA negotiations with their Sri Lankan counterparts from the Ministry of International Trade announced the liberalisation on Thursday at the negotiations.

In addition to removing port restrictions which would enable Sri Lankan tea and apparel to enter India from any port, it was also announced that three million pieces out of the quota of eight million pieces given under the FTA will be allowed to use fabric from any origin. Previously the Indian Government insisted on using Indian fabric for garments imported under this quota.