EU delegation to visit Sri Lanka for key review of GSP+ trade concessions

The delegation will engage in a series of meetings and consultations with Sri Lankan government officials, industry stakeholders, and civil society representatives. The primary focus of the mission is to assess the country’s compliance with the commitments required to maintain its GSP+ status, which grants Sri Lankan exports preferential access to the EU market.

The GSP+ scheme plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s export economy, especially in sectors such as apparel, fisheries, and agriculture. Continued access to these trade benefits is contingent upon the country’s adherence to international conventions related to labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance.

“This visit represents an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the principles tied to the GSP+ agreement,” a senior EU official stated ahead of the visit. “Our review will be thorough and transparent, ensuring that both progress and challenges are adequately addressed.”

Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status was reinstated in 2017 after being withdrawn in 2010 due to concerns over human rights violations. Since then, regular reviews have been conducted to monitor compliance.

Industry leaders have expressed cautious optimism about the outcome of the visit, emphasizing the importance of GSP+ to the country’s economic recovery and export growth.

The EU is one of Sri Lanka’s largest export destinations, and the outcome of this review could significantly impact trade flows in the months ahead.