At the inaugural ceremony of the Apparel Industry Suppliers Exhibition (AISEX) 2016, the largest apparel machinery exhibition in Sri Lanka, Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage once again highlighted the importance of gaining GSP Plus Status for Sri Lanka and how close the country is in regaining it.
The Minister averred, “Due to the notorious track record of human rights, lack of democracy and corruption this facility was pulled out. However with these negative factors being reversed under the new administration and due to the efforts of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lanka will once again be awarded with the GSP Plus.” He further said that the GSP Plus status can take apparel export from the country to as much as US $ 20 billion by 2020.
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Gamage also stressed that the Government and industry as a whole should encourage more apparel accessories to me made in Sri Lanka and the AISEX exhibition would be a good event to promote this endeavour. “AISEX aims to sharpen the manufacturers hunger for technological innovations in the apparel industry with the complete solutions necessary for the industry to forge ahead,” he said.
Moreover, the Minister pointed out that Sri Lankan T&C industry should look to strengthen their R&D section to remain competitive in the global market.
