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  1. Negotiations

Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka has preferential and free trade agreements with India, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Singapore and Israel. It is currently in the processing of upgrading its agreement with India to a much more comprehensive one.

Sri Lanka is also party to SAFTA, the agreement on a South Asia Free Trade Area, as well as BIMSTEC, which aims to hammer out a regional FTA.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Sri Lankan engineers' association

See also
Sri Lanka-China to negotiate on FTA during Chinese President's visit
16-Sep-2014     Colombo Page
During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the island this week, the two sides will launch negotiations on a China-Sri Lanka free trade agreement.
Sri Lanka to focus on increasing trade and investment with China
20-Aug-2014     Xinhua
Sri Lanka will focus on increasing trade and investment with China as well as broadening the scope of a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a top official said on Tuesday.
Japan, Sri Lanka push for trade treaty
8-Aug-2014     Tax News
During their recent meeting in Colombo, the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and Sri Lanka was the main topic of conversation between Rishad Bathiudeen, the Sri Lankan Minister of Industry and Commerce, and the Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Kazuyoshi Akaba.
Trade talks for first TA with surging ‘Nam on the cards
8-Aug-2014     Asian Tribune
The possibility of a first ever official trade agreement with one of the most discerning Asian suppliers to Sri Lanka has edged closer to reality.
Sri Lanka-China FTA feasibility study completed
21-Mar-2014     Global Times
Sri Lanka and China have completed the joint feasibility study for establishing a free trade agreement between the two countries and will push ahead with signing it before the end of the year, a statement from the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.
China, Sri Lanka could sign free trade pact in 2014
14-Feb-2014     Reuters
China and Sri Lanka could sign a free trade agreement by the end of the year, state news agency Xinhua cited Sri Lanka's foreign minister as saying, a move that will help cement Colombo's growing economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing.
FTA with China next boost for Lankan apparel sector: JAAF
21-Jan-2014    
Efforts to drive the Sri Lankan apparel sector into a new growth phase may hinge on the success of the potential free trade agreement (FTA) in the offing with China, according to Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Secretary General Tuli Cooray.
Zero tariff for 10 categories of Indian imports
26-Nov-2013    
Despite the adverse impact on local industries, the Government has allowed tariff-free imports on ten categories of Indian goods, which had hitherto remained in the negative list under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, Daily Mirror learns.
Sri Lanka: Chinese FTA evokes mixed reactions
23-Sep-2013     The Nation
The proposed free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and China, which is slated to be inked this November ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, is a ‘wakeup call’ for the country’s exporters, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce says
We don’t need CEPA any longer: Basil Rajapaksa
19-Jul-2013     The Hindu
Sri Lanka will not need the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India any longer, as both countries had moved on, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.