Vertical integration in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is one of the quickest ways to do that, said Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters (SLCGE) Secretary General Hemantha Perera. An apparel industry veteran himself, Perera noted that certain fabrics used for apparel production are currently being imported from regions that disqualify the manufactured product for tariff reductions under the EU’s GSP+ concessions. Synthetic fabric often has to be imported to Sri Lanka, making them ineligible for GSP+ concessions to the EU. At the same time, Dr. Silva indicated that those who assumed that Sri Lanka could do without GSP+ concessions at this stage were mistaken. The other speakers at the event included EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Denis Chaibi and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the EU Grace Asirwatham.

Source: The Nation August 31, 2021 18:33 UTC