Sri Lanka loses EU trade benefits

Months of uncertainty over sourcing apparel from Sri Lanka have come to an end after the European Union (EU) this week set a deadline for withdrawing the country's GSP+ trade benefits – a move that could also lead to higher prices on some garments.

EU: Retailers brace as Sri Lanka loses trade benefit

17 February 2010

COMMENT: EU keeps door open on GSP+ with Sri Lanka

17 February 2010

It was inevitable that European member states would vote to withdraw GSP+ trade benefits from Sri Lanka after the European Commission’s attempts to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war were thwarted at every turn.

SRI LANKA: Government urged to deliver on wage promise

11 February 2010

Sri Lankan trade unions are putting pressure on the government to fulfil election promises for wage increases.

INSIGHT: EU to continue GSP+ dialogue with Sri Lanka

18 December 2009

The head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Sri Lanka, ambassador Bernard Savage, said this week that the EU is committed to pursuing a dialogue with the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the continuation of its GSP+ trade scheme.

SRI LANKA: EC recommends withdrawal of GSP+ status

17 December 2009

The European Commission (EC) has made a long-awaited decision to temporarily suspend preferential trade terms for Sri Lanka because of its poor human-rights record.

SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka fears tariff proposals will hit trade

10 December 2009

Sri Lanka’s director-general of commerce, Gomi Senadhira, says a draft blueprint on how to slash tariffs - yet to be agreed in the World Trade Organisation sponsored Doha liberalisation talks - for industrial goods would put his country at “a disadvantage” in the US market compared to developing nation beneficiaries.

SRI LANKA: Apparel firms in bullish mood over GSP+

4 December 2009

At a time when Sri Lanka's apparel sector is already seeing its exports hit by the slowdown in consumer spending, the industry appears surprisingly bullish over the possible loss of trade benefits to its largest customer, the European Union (EU).