TRADE MINISTER LOOKS TO TIFA TO BOLSTER TIES TO US

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001736

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS J.BRENNIG; PLEASE PASS TO
USTR:A.WILLS AND J.ROSENBAUM, COMMERCE: A.STERN, MCC:
S.GROFF

DEPARTMENT PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014
TAGS: ETRD ECON CVIS CE ECONOMICS
SUBJECT: TRADE MINISTER LOOKS TO TIFA TO BOLSTER TIES TO US
EXPORTERS

REF: A. COLOMBO 1620

B. COLOMBO 1727

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead. Reasons 1.4 b and e


1. (C) Action request para 2. During a brief meeting on
October 19, requested by the Ambassador prior to GSL team's
departure for Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
talks in Washington, Commerce Minister Fernandopulle told
Ambassador he hoped the trip would provide an opportunity to
outline GSL plans on the economy and steps it has taken on
market liberalization, and to meet with US exporters. In
particular:

--Fernandopulle would like to meet with exporters of poultry
(Sri Lanka is in the process of lifting the ban due to HPAI),
wheat flour and pulses (Fernandopulle specifically mentioned
masoor dhal, a red lentil dhal which we believe is grown in
the US. Dhal is a staple in Sri Lankan diets.).

--Fernandopulle will also tout his office's efforts on behalf
of US companies (GTech) and IPR issues. Ambassador raised
issues surrounding companies in the power sector, with which
Fernandopulle was unfamiliar, but candidly referred to as
"the most corrupt bureaucracy in Sri Lanka."

--Fernandopulle will also likely ask for expedited US
approval of the revised visa reciprocity schedule. The GSL
cabinet recently approved a change in fee structure and
validity, now allowing US travelers to get 5-year multiple
entry visas for US$100 (current schedule is a one-year visa
at a total cost of US$ 195). Post requested approval to
reciprocate in ref A. CA has forwarded the proposal to DHS
which has the responsibility for final approval.

A more thorough discussion of overall issues surrounding TIFA
talks are in ref B.


2. (SBU) Action Requests: 1) Post requests that Department
and Commerce work with Ambassador Subasinghe in Washington to
arrange meetings with poultry and grain export
representatives or associations for Fernandopulle. US wheat
imports comprised 35% of the market last year. One US firm,
Commercial Lynks is already a major exporter in pulses to Sri
Lanka. The US Poultry and Egg Association has also expressed
keen interest in the Sri Lanka market. 2) Also, that efforts
be made to note to DHS the high-level interest and trade
benefits of the visa reciprocity issue in Sri Lanka.
LUNSTEAD