Seminar on ‘EU Trade Policy – Opportunities for Sri Lanka’

Monday, 20 February 2017 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The EU Delegation to Sri Lanka in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL) will be conducting a seminar titled ‘EU Trade Policy – Opportunities for Sri Lanka’ on 1sMarch at The Kingsbury from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The seminar coincides with the imminent restoration of GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka and the arrival of a high-powered delegation from EU in March to conduct the seminar.

The delegation comprises Helena König, Director DG Trade, European Commission, Brussels, Nikos Zaimis – Director General Trade, European Commission, Brussels, Walter Van Hattum – EU Delegation in the Philippines, and Husnain A. Iftakhar – EU Delegation in Pakistan.

The Guest of Honour will be Dr. Harsha De Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Tung Lai-Marg will also address the seminar. It is expected that several ministers and high level officials from the Government of Sri Lanka are expected to attend the seminar.

The inclusion of two delegates from Pakistan and Philippines underscores the fact that EU wants Sri Lanka to learn from the experiences of Pakistan and Philippines as these countries too had human rights and governance issues. Compliance to 27 UN conventions is attached to GSP+ conditionality and Pakistan has already started putting in place institutional mechanisms.

As a result of economic benefits of GSP +, Pakistan’s exports to EU rose by 21% in the first year of the scheme, but the GSP Plus mechanism also bounds Pakistan to introduce more democratic and human rights reforms. In 2014, the Philippines became a beneficiary of the EU GSP where 2,442 products from the Philippines are exported at zero duty while 3,767 are subject to reduced tariffs. To date, 13 countries have been granted GSP+ privileges by the European Union.

The seminar will focus on the possible surge in demand for Sri Lankan products in EU countries and how best Sri Lanka can benefit from this facility. The seminar targets exporters to EU, garment industries, FTZ companies, cargo and freight forwarders and interested parties on the best possible use of the facility.

The ECCSL believes that the seminar is an important forum for exporters and freight/cargo companies as delegates from Pakistan and Philippines could share the experiences and insights in the aftermath of GSP+ facility being restored in their respective countries.

The seminar is open to both members and non-members of the ECCSL. For registration please contact Dilshan/Rizona on 011-2507622 or [email protected] or [email protected].