EU, Sri Lanka’s most important and traditional market for exports: Daly

Ambassador of the EU and Head of the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka David Daly addressing the gathering at the NCE Export Awards Ceremony

Following are excerpts of the address delivered by David Daly, Ambassador of the EU and Head of the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka, who was the Guest of Honour at the NCE Export Awards Ceremony held on 18 September at the Hilton Colombo

Ambassador of the EU and Head of the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka David Daly in his address stated that the EU which comprises 28 countries is the most important and traditional market for exports from Sri Lanka. He added that this market has a potential for Euro 2 billion for exports.

Another special feature of this common market is the applicability of the same rules and regulations in all 28 countries, including transparency, the same rules of origin, and the same duties. Also 17 countries of the EU transact business in the same common currency viz the Euro. 

In 2010 Sri Lanka lost the special GSP plus facility accorded to the country related to concessionary import duties due to her inability to conform to human rights and related regulations arising out of international conventions signed by the country. In recent times Sri Lanka also lost the ability to export Fisheries Products to the EU market due to short falls in technical compliances related to this sector including, monitoring of fishing vessels. 

He stated that the EU is encouraged by the positive approaches of the new National Government related to compliance to international human rightsand related laws, encompassed in international conventions, as well as the maintenance of rule of law, justice, and equality to all citizens. However, he added the progress made by Sri Lanka in these aspects will be subject to stringent evaluation by the EU before the restoration once again of these facilities. He therefore, requested the exporter community to prevail upon the government the importance of making good progress related to these aspects for the economic benefit of Sri Lanka. 

The Ambassador concluded his address on a positive note by stating that the EU will promote business cooperation with Sri Lanka by extending assistance in four areas. These include the grant of Euro 8 million for the development of the SME sector to improve quality standards to enter the EU market, as well as trade policy support to facilitate trade by improving quality standards, sanitary and phytosanitary support, and sector specific business support to penetrate the advanced markets of the EU. 

The Ambassador gave away the awards of the Best Sri Lankan Brand, Most Outstanding Exporter Runner up, and the most prestigious award of Most Outstanding Exporter of the Year.