A European Union (EU) GSP+ Monitoring Mission is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today, 28 April.

The Mission will remain in the country until 7 May 2025 to assess progress on Sri Lanka’s fulfillment of conditions linked to the granting of Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade benefits.

This visit forms part of the regular biannual monitoring process to which the Sri Lankan Government has committed in order to continue benefiting from GSP+, the EU said in a statement. During their stay, Mission members will meet with government officials, institutions, politicians, civil society organisations, business associations, and trade unions, and will also carry out site visits.

Sri Lanka is among eight low- or lower-middle-income countries benefitting from GSP+, a special incentive scheme for Sustainable Development and Good Governance. It is open to vulnerable developing countries that have ratified and effectively implemented 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, climate change, and good governance. Progress is monitored through biannual missions and reports.

The European Union, a single market of 27 Member States with a population of 450 million, is Sri Lanka’s second largest export destination. In 2024, Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU totalled Euro 2.7 billion, with approximately 85% of these exports enjoying duty-free access under GSP+.