Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grew 4.1 per cent during the first quarter of this year. Apparel exports to the European Union grew by 5.2 per cent year on year while exports to the United States grew by 5.1 per cent year on year.

However, exports to the EU slowed down during March, recording only a marginal growth of 0.5 per cent year on year. In contrast, apparel exports to the United States grew significantly by 17.7 per cent year on year.

The trade dispute between the US and China is helping somewhat Sri Lankan apparel exports to the US.

Both apparel and textile exports during the first quarter of 2018 grew by four per cent year on year.

The country has targeted to achieve 5.5 billion dollars in apparel exports this year with a minimum ten per cent growth in exports to the EU countries. However there’s a concern on the European markets due to the weather conditions. Because of the long winter in Europe, the retail sector has slowed down as the long winters cause people to spend lesser time in shopping.

Some manufacturers in Sri Lanka are still engaged in manufacturing basic apparel despite the country’s gaining the GSP Plus concession last year.