GSP+, Sri Lankan business community and the Opposition

Sriyani de Saram

GSP+ duty concession was offered to Sri Lanka by the EU in 2005 on the ratification of the required conventions. This will expire by the end of 2008. Sri Lanka has requested for an extension of this concession.

Sri Lanka is the only country in the South East Asian Region that the EU has offered this concession. The objective of the GSP +, was based on integral concept of sustainable development and to promote further economic growth in beneficiary countries and enable them to respond to the need for sustainable development.

Under the GSP+ about 7,200 products were given duty free access to the EU. The garment sector was one of the main beneficiaries of this concession.

We, as Sri Lankans are very thankful to EU for offering this concession which contributed immensely for our economic growth most specially in the garment sector. The Sri Lankan business community is eagerly waiting for a positive response from the EU on the GSP+ concession, while the LTTE, and the Opposition of our country is eagerly waiting for the negative response.

It is very sad to note that some people in the Government also aware or unaware of the importance of this matter make outrageous comments on the issue of GSP+ concessions which will have an adverse effect on the process.

A person who has a least bit of knowledge on international trade would understand the importance of this concession to our economy. If they do not understand it, what they should do is to keep silent without making imprudent remarks.

In fact about a month back an article appeared in a daily English newspaper written by an Indian gentleman stating that EU has already taken a decision to grant these concessions to Sri Lanka.

I think this has been done purposely to make things more impossible for Sri Lanka. In fact when I read this article I called the page editor of this newspaper and brought this to her notice saying that this sort of wrong information may hinder the grant of the GSP+ concessions to Sri Lanka. She thanked me for bringing this in to her notice and assured me that she will check this information and will make a correction but she never did.

In fact not only the LTTE and our Opposition, whose only idea is to come into power will make things difficult to our country, there are other elements also aiding and abetting them. Whatever the party you and I belong, we are all Sri Lankans, If the country perishes we also perish.

They should have used all their so called foreign influence which they boast about over EU to get Sri Lanka this concession because it is not for the Government but for the people of Sri Lanka, whom they say they are so concerned about.

They must also remember that who ever comes to power it is the economy that will keep them to stay in power.

As we hear from the newspapers and other information sources, most of the time our Opposition Leader is abroad officially or unofficially touring. What they say is they are so concerned about the suffering of the people of this country. At least in a situation like this, the Opposition should join the Government as other countries do in an hour like this.

We can take advice from our closest neighbour India in issues like this. For them the country comes first.

The EU must give a strong consideration for the fact that Sri Lanka is a country which fights terrorism with the world's no 1 ruthless terrorist group. If the EU is genuinely helping to combat terrorism in the world they must help the Sri Lankan Government to strengthen its economy to fight terrorism.

All the countries of the world had a taste of terrorism one way or other. They must know how difficult it is for a government to keep human rights record intact in an hour like this.

The disinformation service of the LTTE has taken its toll in some of the EU countries. Their campaign is very strong.

EU must have very impartial monitors to judge the situation of the country. The EU must not demand for the pound of flesh from the Government.

EU has been a friendly nation to Sri Lanka all along. EU has helped Sri Lanka in various major projects which has contributed to the economic growth of Sri Lanka. The people of this country is grateful for them. In making this decision EU must consider the impact of their decision on the people of Sri Lanka.