Sri Lanka still to come to agreement with U.S. on reciprocal tariffs: Minister
Colombo, Nov. 17 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka is yet to reach any final agreement to be inked with the United States on reciprocal tariffs, and discussions are still underway regarding the matter, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today.
He told Parliament that Sri Lanka and the United States have had 17 rounds of discussions so far.
The Minister said Sri Lanka was able to get the tariffs reduced from 44 per cent to 20 per cent through discussions and added that the US President Donald Trump, in an order issued on November 13, brought some food items exported by Sri Lanka to zero tariff.
He said Sri Lanka has gained diplomatic achievements within one year, adding that Sri Lanka has initiated fresh diplomatic ties with some countries, while discussions resumed on some other countries to ensure strong ties.
The Minister said Sri Lanka had weak diplomatic ties with countries in the Latin America and Caribbean regions and that Sri Lanka established fresh diplomatic ties with three countries of Antigua, Barbuda and Belize.
He said more than 20 heads of State and high-level leaders had visited Sri Lanka during the past year.
The Minister said more than 70 MOUs have been signed with 20 South Asian nations, 19 East Asian nations, 15 European and Western nations, four Middle Eastern, four Latin American and four Caribbean region nations.
He said the Foreign Ministry was able to facilitate 150 foreign companies for investment opportunities in Sri Lanka within one year, and discussions have been held with some 2,000 companies on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
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