GSP plus: Apparel exporters seek amicable solution

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Apparel industry stakeholders have presented a set of proposals calling for a settlement of the GSP Plus issue and the extension of the trade benefit to Sri Lanka.

Pic: Kavindra Perera

Deputy Chairman, Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association, Rohan Abayakoon said the document contains proposals seeking an amicable solution to the GSP Plus which is now temporarily suspended.

The GSP Plus trade concession was suspended last month by the European Union providing a timeline of six months for Sri Lanka to respond.

The apparel sector is the single largest export earner to the country with a turnover exceeding US$ 3 billion. The industry is one of the largest employers. “The loss of the trade concession will have adverse repercussions on the industry and the overall export revenue of the country”, Abayakoon said. Apparel, agriculture, fisheries, ceramics, gem and jewellery are some of the major beneficiaries of the EU concession.

Apparel sector stalwarts present at the Textech Sri Lanka Expo 2010 held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre spoke on the importance of the GSP Plus facility to Sri Lanka.

The government is fully supportive of the initiative and the industry is hopeful that the trade benefit will be given back to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has been benefitting from the trade zero Duty concession since 2005.

The renewal of the concession was subjected to the implementation of international conventions.

The Textech 2010, the 4th Dye+Chem 2010 and the Yarn and Fabric Show 2010 exhibitions were also organised by the Conference and Exhibition Management Services Lanka.