EU GSP+ decision unfair, biased
Lakshmi de Silva
Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris
addressing a UPFA press conference at the Mahaweli Centre auditorium
said the decision to withhold the GSP+ concession was unfair and biased.
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Minister Peiris |
The Minister said we could take steps at the international forums
such as the ILO. The threat to withdraw the concession at a time when we
were having an election was a method of political coercion made with a
bias. Therefore, we will face it and not allow the industry to suffer,
he said.
Answering a question, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said
when this issue came up President Mahinda Rajapaksa held talks and
decided to give the needed relief the industry in the event GSP+ was
withdrawn.
The benefit accrued by the benefit was 125 million US dollars and we
have decided to face any eventuality and not allow the apparel industry
to suffer.
Among the EU countries there were a few opposed to giving the relief
to us but we also had EU countries that were our friends and would help
us and were positive towards our country.
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