Apparel industry stable
Nadira Gunatilleke
The apparel industry of Sri Lanka is very stable and the high quality
garments produced in Sri Lanka can be marketed anywhere in the world.
Orders for the next six months have already been received.
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Minister
Anura Priyadarshana Yapa |
Therefore, there is no reason to raise concerns, Information and
Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government
Information Department Auditorium yesterday, Minister Yapa said
arrangements will be made to provide financial assistance to small and
medium scale garment producers in coordination with banks. Another new
garment factory will be opened in the Eastern Province on Saturday which
will provide new employment for 1,000 youths.
GSP plus is not something that is going to benefit Sri Lanka for many
years to come. It can be extended for one or two more years and it will
end there. Sri Lanka was entitled for GSP Plus during the past few years
because the country was badly affected by the 2004 tsunami. Therefore it
will end within one year or two. But Sri Lanka is still awaiting a
response, the Minister said.
According to Minister Yapa, so far the Government has not received
any information regarding GSP Plus. The Sri Lankan Government made it
very clear to the whole world about protection of human rights and took
all necessary steps to give relevant details to International bodies
especially to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva.
The proposal against Sri Lanka was defeated at the UN HR Council with
a very clear majority. Therefore Sri Lanka does not need to be concerned
on any other `Reports’ or concerned about personal views.
Sri Lanka has already signed all relevant International treaties in
connection with protecting labour rights, he said. |
