FOREIGN TRADE POLICY

Following the trade liberalization initiatives introduced as far back as late 1970s and continued by all successive governments to-date, Sri Lanka is currently known to be the most liberalized economy in the entire region of South Asia. Series of unilateral measures implemented over the years have resulted in rationalization and simplification of the country’s tariff structure to a large extent.

The foreign trade policy, which continues with the process of further liberalization of the country’s current trade regime, aims at integrating Sri Lanka with the global economy within the positive attributes of free market economy, while holding in balance the interests of the domestic industry through specific measures.

Today, tariffs and other border levies act as the key tools for regulating the foreign trade regime of Sri Lanka, while there are hardly any barriers or impediments such as licensing and quotas on either imports or exports. The tariff policy of the government aims at providing a transparent and predictable framework for all stakeholders in the foreign trade sector.

Based on product categories, Sri Lanka maintains a 5-band tariff structure at present.

Essential goods 0.0%

Intermediate products 15.0%

Basic raw materials 2.5%

Other finished products 28.0%

Semi-processed goods 6.0%

Sri Lanka has granted preferential tariff benefits to a wide range of products imported under the following trade agreements / arrangements.

Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA)

Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA)

South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)

Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) – formerly known as Bangkok Agreement

Being a pioneer member of the GATT and the WTO, Sri Lanka remains fully committed towards pursuing a rule based multilateral trading system that will ensure a transparent and predictable trading environment to the international business community.

Useful links:

• Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOISL)
• Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka