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A high powered delegation led by Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Development, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris and comprising Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake and Industrialist Malik Samarawickrema have left for the United States to have talks with the US officials and the textile trade on Sri Lanka's complications in securing export and import of goods with the US, a Ministry communique said yesterday.

A Free Trade Agreement when signed will permit the export and imports of goods to both countries duty free, which will be important to the apparel industry which will face severe competition in 2005 when quotas will be abolished.

Presently, Sri Lanka exports around 60 % of the apparel exports to the US This comprises only 2 per cent of the US market.

Ministry Secretary Ranjith Fernando said that Sri Lanka should not prematurely raise the expectations of the industry to the prospect of obtaining Free Trade status with the US. He was also appreciative of the tremendous support given by the US Ambassador in Colombo Ashley Wills.

The three member delegation led by Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will apprise the US authorities of the adavantages of the FTA. Sri Lanka imported textiles to the value of US$ 1 billion from the US. Exports to the US is around US$ 2 billion while the imports is only around US$ 2 million.

The three member Sri Lankan delegation will meet the senators, industry associations, members of the house of Representatives and officials to canvass for Sri Lanka. 

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