EU forum hosted by European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka on Friday

The European Union is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner. Approximately 32% of Sri Lanka’s total exports go to the European Union. Sri Lanka lost the EU Generalised System of Tariff Preferences-Plus (GSP+) benefit back in 2010 and Sri Lanka’s new Government is keen to re-apply for this concession.

A high profile mission from the EU Headquarters in Brussels comprising of officials from the European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS) will be visiting Sri Lanka from 19 to 22 January, in order to discuss various issues with the Government including the GSP+. On the occasion of this visit, the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL) in collaboration with the Apparel Exporters Association and the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives will be organising a breakfast seminar on 22 January at Hilton Colombo Residencies (JAIC) from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

The main focus of this seminar will be on the possibility of Sri Lanka regaining the GSP Plus. This event will provide a unique opportunity for the business community to directly interact with EU’s trade policy makers. For registrations and further information on this seminar please contact the ECCSL by email:  [email protected] or call Manik on 077-3408569 or Gayashi on 077-3317978.  

The key speakers at this event will be Nikos Zaimis – Deputy Head of Unit at the Directorate General for Trade, Sustainable Development and General System of Preferences (GSP) at the European Commission who will address the participants on the key features of the GSP Plus scheme, as well as provide an insight into what Sri Lanka needs to do to regain the GSP Plus.  

Andreas Julin, the Desk Officer for Sri Lanka at the Directorate General for Trade at the European Commission in Brussels, will speak on EU-Sri Lanka trade. 

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva will speak on the Sri Lankan Government’s approach to trade with the European Union. State Minister for International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe and Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrema will be part of the panel of experts at the seminar. 

Mahesh Hirdaramani, Director of Hirdaramani Group of Companies will speak on the impact of the GSP+ loss on the apparel sector and the benefits of Sri Lanka regaining GSP plus from the private sector perspective. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the Institute of Policy studies (IPS) will provide a policy overview on Sri Lanka’s trade with the EU.