Government sure of getting GSP plus next year

The Government is certain it will receive the GSP plus trade concession from the European Union (EU) next year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the EU and the Sri Lankan Government are working together to regain the key trade concession.

“We are working together with mutual respect to get this done by mid next year since we have now established a government of good governance with respect for human rights,” he said.

Dr. Harsha de Silva was speaking at an event attended by several garment factory workers and officials?of the garment industry.

He said that a recent technical paper on the ‘World Economy’ showed that the loss of the trade concession had a negative impact, with the worst affected being the urban low-income workers.

Sri Lanka lost the GSP plus trade concession from the EU when?the former Government was in power after it failed to meet the criteria to continue as a beneficiary.

However the new Government had reapplied for the concession and has made commitments to meet the required criteria.?(Colombo Gazette)