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| Sunday, 7 September 2003 |
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Quality certificate scheme to promote and facilitate exports by Hiran H. Senewiratne The Government will sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several countries to introduce a Sri Lanka Export Quality Certificate Scheme (SLEQCS) in a move towards promoting and facilitating exports. The first memorandum will be signed with India within the next two months under the Free Trade Agreement. This will be followed by USA, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and many other countries. The Ministry of Trade and Commerce will recognise the SLEQCS as the national export quality certification scheme and the Director General of Commerce will be responsible for promoting and creating international recognition for the scheme. "These trade agreements will not only facilitate local exports, but also expedite smooth clearance of cargo for the importing country," said Deputy Director Commerce D.G.A.P. Dharmapriya. According to Dharmapriya, India already has such a system, which is now recognised by many countries. He said the certificate scheme with conformity assessment of exports based on internationally accepted standards and guidance will play a vital role in Sri Lanka's export promotions. The SLEQCS will be recognised by the importing country after the signing of the MoU, and the respective country will accept the certificate as a valid document that the goods conform to quality and sanitary standards. At present, the importing country tends to check each and every container, which leads to Sri Lanka having high export rejects. The new system will eliminate these problems. Deputy Director General, Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Dr L.L.S.S.K. de Silva said the Government expects all exporters to register with the new scheme. This will not only eliminate problems faced by exporters, but also increase the quality and sanitary standards of our exports. The coordinating and certification activities for the programme will be done by the SLSI with the assistance of the State and private sector. According to Dr de Silva, the policies for operations will be made by a central committee called the Export Quality Certification Coordination Committee (EQCCC). The scheme will be approved by the SLSI on the EQCCC's recommendation. The committee will operate independently under the guidance of the SLSI Council. Technical and secretarial inputs will be available from the SLSI. Export-related bodies such as Sri Lanka Customs, Export Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Industries will facilitate the scheme depending on the export item.
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