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Friday, 15 June 2012

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'Expo 2012 was well showcased'

"The USA and Sri Lanka has engaged in continuous dialog regarding the GSP programme based on the petition to the USA. This is the golden age of our economic relationship as there is peaceful environment in the country.

We need to do more from now onwards as Sri Lanka was on low profile due to conflict.

The Expo 2012 was great and well showcased. I am impressed with the Sri Lankan capabilities," Assistant United States Trade Representative from South Asia Office of the United States Trade Representative Michael J. Delaney said.

"The on going continuous consultation with the Sri Lanka government regarding the GSP programme is productive. We are negotiating issues raised in the petition and will be following up the progress," he said. "There needs to be improved worker rights and it shows signs of improvement with regard to issues raised in the petition. We will be taking the final decision in the near future as the on going review regarding GSP position is at an advanced stage," he said addressing the media yesterday in Colombo.

"We really value the relationship with Sri Lanka and looking at the possibilities to further improving the relationship. However, there is no specific list of items in focus. We are always looking for ways and means to improve trade relationship," he said.

Sri Lanka should focus more on working environment and policies. It needs to make further progress. The ILO convention is a good starting point for discussion.

As correctly pointed out by External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in this regard. The issues will be revolved in near future.

The USA is Sri Lanka's biggest customer for exports.

We can do more to expand the trade base. There are many trade opportunities available due to end of war and on going infrastructure projects.

Currently total trade between USA and Sri Lanka is worth $ 2.4 billion and Sri Lanka's exports to USA is $ 2.1 billion while imports been $ 300 million.

"We can easily triple the figure within next few years as there is lots of room for improvement in overall trade regime. There is marginal improvement in the Transparency International Index and we feel this can improve further to facilitate more trade," Delaney added.

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