COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) expresses its support for the proactive engagement of the Government of Sri Lanka with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington D.C. The JAAF extends its gratitude to His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the accompanying delegation for prioritizing discussions that promote fair and mutually beneficial trade relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.
The U.S. remains a crucial and enduring trading partner for Sri Lanka’s apparel sector. This industry directly supports 350,000 jobs and provides livelihoods for an additional 700,000 individuals throughout the country. We are optimistic about the Government’s dedication to addressing significant trade barriers and finding solutions that ensure market access and competitiveness for Sri Lankan exports.
We trust that any future tariff agreements will reflect parity with those extended to other apparel-producing countries, guaranteeing a level playing field for Sri Lankan exporters. In this regard, we respectfully encourage both governments to consider the long-term viability of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry—an essential component of the national economy and a global leader in ethical manufacturing.
As discussions move forward toward a possible bilateral trade agreement, we would like to reiterate that Sri Lanka’s apparel sector operates with complete traceability, transparency, and sustainability, in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards. This commitment should be considered in establishing a special concessionary tariff. We remain confident that Sri Lanka’s value proposition as a responsible sourcing destination is both credible and competitive.
We look forward to ongoing dialogue between the two governments and fully support a forward-looking agreement that will enhance trade, attract investment, and foster shared prosperity.
