Sri Lankan apparel industry keen to set up textile plants

02 Jan '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Stakeholders in the Sri Lankan apparel industry are making a concerted effort to create a sustainable domestic fabric supply base. Despite the goods exported to the European Union (EU) being eligible for the generalised system of preferences (GSP+) benefit, the island nation is unable to meet the country of origin rule. The available domestic fabric is only knitted fabric.

The fabric capacity available is fully absorbed by the industry and as a result, a part of the knitted and woven fabric requirement is being imported, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) general secretary Tuli Cooray said.

The total annual import of fabric goes well beyond $2 billion. Whether GSP+ exists or not, having its own fabric base will ensure a sustainable apparel industry, Cooray was quoted as saying by a Sri Lankan newspaper.

The proposal to set up a textile development park in Eravur has been recognised in the government manifesto.

A minimum of three plants will be promoted by JAAF. China is looking for attractive sites for such investments, Cooray said.

If the textile plants are given access to domestic markets, the domestic apparel manufacturers can improve their delivery at a lesser cost, he added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)