Lanka upbeat on GSP+

Hiran H. Senewiratne

Sri Lanka is optimistic on the extension of new GSP plus facility from the European Union where all the stakeholders are working with European Union for the extension, JAFF Immediate Past President Ashrof Omar said.

He said European Union will be investigating on three important areas namely Human Rights Aspects, Convention on Torture and Convention of Child Soldiers before awarding the extension for a three year period.

Therefore, all probing is open till February 18 to report for and against Sri Lanka situation. Based on the reports EU will decide to grant the new GSP Plus facility for another three year period, he said.

“If they are not going to grant the new GSP plus it will have to be six moths notice for us. Therefore, JAAF is optimistic that EU would grant GSP plus for a three year period,” he said

Trade concessions from the European Union have been extended till about the middle of next year until a probe on Sri Lanka’s eligibility is completed, an official said.

International Trade Ministry Secretary S. Ranugge said the EU had informed the government of the decision.

The EU had warned earlier that concessions granted under the Generalised System of Preferences plus (GSP+) may not be extended over human rights concerns.

Sri Lanka has to comply with international protocols on civil and political rights to qualify for the trade benefits.

The EU probe is on human rights abuses and the use of child soldiers.

The trade concessions, under which Sri Lankan exports go duty free to EU markets, will remain until the probe is finished.

Diplomatic sources said the probe started in October and must be finished before October next year.