EU trade policy: What to know in preparation for GSP+ decision

A forum has been organised on EU trade policy – what to know in preparation for GSP+ decision with the European Union Delegation Sri Lanka and the Shippers’ Academy Colombo in association with the European Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka. The forum is in line with the decision taken in January by the European Commission to recommend to the European Council once again, to include Sri Lanka for the GSP+ market access to the European Union.

In 2010 Sri Lanka lost the preferential arrangement due to inadequate implementation of the conventions the country has signed into, especially in the human rights category. With the new Government coming in 2015, the President and Prime Minister had reached out to EU to obtain the preferential market access. The Government has made progress in this regard and the EU has indicated favourably in this regard as per commission recommendations in January 2017.

The industry sectors believe that the market access with a zero duty gives new energy for the country to expand exports, diversify products and a new lifeline for rural poverty alleviation. In this context, a five-year window is probably available to Sri Lanka if and when EU grants the new GSP+ regime to Sri Lanka. Most analysts believe by May 2017, country will regain this facility.

The forum organisers have invited Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva, 

Tung- Lai Margue, EU Ambassador, EU Delegation in Sri Lanka, SonaliWijeratne, Director General of Commerce, Sri Lanka, Helena Konig, Director General Trade, European Commission Brussels, Nikos Zaimis, Director General Trade, European Commission Brussels, Walter Van Hattum, European Delegation in the Philippines, Husnain A. Iftakhar, EU Delegation in Pakistan to address the forum.

The Shippers’ Academy Colombo CEO Rohan Masakorala said that, “The forum will discuss, EU trade policy, current status both from EU perspective and Sri Lanka perspective and give insights for local industry and how they should prepare themselves in terms of the new scheme, which will include the process, the Rules Of Origin criteria (ROO) etc.” 

On behalf of the European Commission, Shippers’ Academy Colombo and the European Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, we invite interested parties to register for the forum. The forum will be held at Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo7 on 1 March from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Interested parties may contact Shippers’ Academy Colombo, 105, Hunupitiya Lake Rod, Colombo 2, tel: 077-3820703/011 3560844, fax: 0112874065/0112472535, email: [email protected] or web:  www.shippersacaemy.lk.