Government of Sri Lanka is aiming to get duty-free access to the Indian market for its apparel products during talks on free trade deals scheduled to start next week.
Minister International Trade and Strategic Development, Malik Samarawickrama said, “We will ask for the total abolition of the quota for garments and the enhancement of the quota for tea. India allows only 8 million pieces of apparel per year. This is too small. Among other issues to be addressed are testing procedures and non-recognition of Sri Lankan standards.”
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An Indian delegation will be visiting Sri Lanka next week to begin talks on the framework of Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). The week after that, a Chinese delegation is expected to visit the country for talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). An FTA with Singapore is also on the cards. The main objective behind signing of these agreements is Sri Lanka’s aim to increase its export share in the global market.
