While the apparel and textile market in the European Union is shrinking for most nations; there are countries that still have a chance to penetrate the EU market if they study the EU rules and regulations regarding market access to numerous products.
We have seen that Pakistan’s exports to the EU have been dominated by textiles. Also under the GSP provided by the EU, there are numerous items where zero-rated access to the EU has not been availed by many sectors probably because they were never in exports. Sri Lanka is another country that has not been able to avail the full benefit of concessions available in the EU.
Realizing this Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) under which the Swiss body would facilitate conducting market studies in the European Union (EU) that will cover trade regulation, non-tariff measures, pricing, environment and social requirements needed by the fish, processed foods and apparel products of the Island country.
The Sri Lankan EDB briefed the media that “it is hopeful that by exploiting the untapped potential for its products the country will expand its EU market as a lot of zero-rated potentials available to Sri Lanka has not been exploited under the EU GSP+ Scheme.”
The study besides covering the trade regulations, non-tariff measures, and technical regulations, market access requirements would also apprise the Sri Lankan exporters about the packaging and labeling, quality standards, and certifications that are usually not given importance by many exporters. Moreover, the studies would also cover trade-related environmental and social requirements that are very important for EU buyers. The studies would also provide pricing, logistics, and information on distribution channels for each sector in the EU.
SIPPO will use international sector experts to provide first-hand information on market access requirements gathered through these studies to European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries. The countries that would be particularly covered include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and selected EU countries, particularly EU eastern Europe members.
