The Ministry of Development Strategies (MoDSIT) together with the USAID-SAIL project hosted a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on Global Trade on June 12, 2019 in Colombo.
The event, titled, “Integrating into Global Trade – How can Sri Lanka maximize benefits and minimize risks?”, was the first in a series of district-level PPDs being held to increase the general awareness and understanding of trade, and obtain the views of wider and more representative groups of stakeholders across the country.
The event was a huge success and generated vibrant debates and discussions among over 80 participants from Ministries, government agencies, the business community, trade chambers, the private sector and other key stakeholders.
Gracing the occasion were, Chief Guest, Malik Samarawickrema, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade (MODSIT), Guest of Honour, Brian Wittnebel, Director - Economic Growth Office – USAID, S.T. Kodikara, Secretary - MODSIT and Glenn Mackenzie-Frazer, Chief of Party, USAID-SAIL Project.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Samarawickrema, stated, “International trade is a priority area of our Government and, as you know, our Ministry has been a catalyst for many trade reforms over the past few years.”
One of SAIL’s focus areas is to support Sri Lanka’s processes of trade integration and facilitation, including support to the free trade agreement process. Trade plays a key role in increasing Sri Lanka’s growth, and an export-oriented strategy is important in achieving this goal.
“The U.S.-Sri Lanka development and humanitarian assistance dates back to 1956. Since then the U.S. Government’s development agency, the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, has invested more than 320 billion Sri Lankan rupees (USD 2 bn) in grant aid not loans,” noted Guest of Honour, Brian Wittnebel, USAID Director of Economic Growth Office.
“This assistance has benefited Sri Lankans across the country and in diverse fields like agriculture, environment and natural resources, infrastructure, business development, health, education, governance and humanitarian assistance.”
“Initiatives such as this public private dialogue are vital in creating awareness on how trade, tariff policies, and other trade instruments can be combined with market access opportunities already available to Sri Lanka. Such initiatives also demonstrate the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to transparency and to the broader aim of seeking feedback from the private sector,” added Wittnebel.
The resource personnel at the event were led by USAID-SAIL Trade Expert Dr. Sanath Jayanetti, who spoke on “Opportunities, Costs and Benefits of Trade Arrangements”. He was followed by Kasun Fernando, Assistant Controller, Department of Import and Export Control, on “Import and Export Control law and expected amendments”.
Ruwanthie Ariyaratne, Deputy Director - Department of Commerce, spoke on “Safeguarding interests of people – Trade Remedies (Antidumping, Countervailing and Safeguards)”, and elaborated on the new “Trade Information Portal”.
Priyantha Saparamadu Deputy Director, Department of Customs dealt with “New Initiatives at Customs” and Heshan Mathugamage, Assistant Registrar, Registrar of Companies explained the progress of “EROC (e-Registration of Companies) project” and his role as the Official Receiver. Each presentation was followed by a questions and answers session.
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| A section of the audience |
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