Sri Lanka’s EDB signs MoU with Swiss SIPPO to study EU market access

“Sri Lanka has potential to expand the market share by entering into new/untapped markets enjoying the zero-duty market access offered the EU GSP+ Scheme,” Sri Lankan media reported quoting an EDB statement.

Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme to take the latter’s help to conduct market studies in the European Union (EU) covering areas like trade regulation, non-tariff measures, pricing, environment and social requirements for fish, processed foods and apparel products.

Dominik Furgler, Swiss ambassador to Sri Lanka, and EDB chairman Suresh D de Mel signed the MoU. 

The proposed studies will cover current trade regulations, non-tariff measures and technical regulations, market access requirements, packaging and labelling, quality standards and certifications, trade-related environmental and social requirements, pricing, logistics, information on distribution channels and market demand analysis related to each selected sector for the identified markets in the EU. 

SIPPO will conduct these market research studies using international sector experts to provide first-hand information on market access requirements to European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and selected EU countries, especially in eastern Europe. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)