According to the Chairman of Sri Lanka Apparel Institute Prof. Lakdas Fernando increasing apparel exports or receiving trade benefits such as GSP Plus facility, should not blind the sector which should move on and face emerging challenges to advance to the next level.
It should try to achieve the best from GSP concession.
There have been a lot of innovations in the sector such as CAT tech, digital printing and digital designs. The sector has the majority labour force, who are employing new export strategies, new facilities, and new maritime changes to eradicate poverty.
Europe is a key market for Lankan apparels. Last year Sri Lanka earned 2 billion US dollars from apparel exports to EU, which was 42 percent of total apparel exports. In the first quarter this year, Lankan apparel exports to EU increased by 5.2 percent to 526 million dollars in comparison to 500 million dollars in first quarter of 2017.
