AUSTR DELANEY'S VISIT TO SRI LANKA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COLOMBO 001063 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INS AND SCA/RA TOM COLEMAN STATE PASS USTR FOR MICHAEL DELANEY AND ADINA ADLER DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER COMMERCE FOR EROL YESIN E.O 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV CE SUBJECT: AUSTR DELANEY'S VISIT TO SRI LANKA ¶1. (U) Summary: Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South Asia Michael Delaney visited Sri Lanka November 11-14 to engage with key government and business leaders, to discuss issues related to U.S.- Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, and to review labor issues raised in the 2007 AFL-CIO petition to remove Sri Lanka from the list of developing countries eligible for Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) (reported septel). Discussing the global economic downturn, the GSL officials remained optimistic about Sri Lanka's overall macroeconomic outlook, but reservedly acknowledged that it must deal with its dwindling foreign reserve, the possible loss of GSP+ (EU preference program) benefits, and a growing deficit in its budget. U.S. companies warned that an increasing government bias in favor of local businesses is harming the local investment climate. In a visit to the formerly war-torn East, officials highlighted government efforts to attract investors, while local businesses underscored the still considerable security risk and the difficulty in obtaining financing. We agreed to look for ways (particularly through our bilateral TIFA) to foster economic reconstruction in the eastern part of the country. Local Economic Challenges Amid the Global Economic Downturn -------------- ¶2. (U) In a series of meetings on November 12-14, AUSTR Delaney and Ambassador Robert O. Blake met with the Minister of Export Development and International Trade G. L. Peiris, Minister of Enterprise and Development and Investment Promotion Sarath Amunugama, Member of Parliament and Presidential Advisor (and Presidential sibling) Basil Rajapaksa, various officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Department of Commerce (DOC),and resident American companies. The Sri Lankan government welcomed AUSTR Delaney, expressed their appreciation of embassy's (via USAID) development assistance programs in the east, and congratulated the U.S. on President-elect Barack Obama. Throughout his meetings, AUSTR Delaney provided an overview of the current U.S. economic downturn, highlighting in particular how it might affect both exports from, and imports to, the U.S. He also stressed the U.S. commitment to achieving a successful outcome at Doha and the G20 meeting. AUSTR Delaney assured that the U.S. remains committed to its bilateral trade agreements with Sri Lanka during the upcoming change in the U.S. administration. ¶3. (SBU) Peiris and Amunugama were optimistic that Sri Lanka's economy will remain resilient despite global woes, projecting a continued growth rate of over six percent. They touted the success of their garment industry and its high labor standards, and promoted the government's recent campaigns to strengthen the agricultural export industry. Only when questioned did the ministers acknowledge that the government is facing several economic challenges including a depleting foreign exchange reserve, a deficit in its balance of payments, a depreciation of the rupee, and the risk of losing access to the European Commission's Generalized System of Preferences-Plus (GSP+) program. The Ambassador also asked Peiris about the recent media reports on GSL's defaulting on foreign contracts; Peiris stated that contract obligation is a strength of GSL, and the government does not plan to hedge any of its current contracts. ¶4. (SBU) Ministers Amunugama and Peiris acknowledged that the global economic downturn will exacerbate an already ailing economy, especially with the Sri Lankan rupee under pressure against the dollar, cash reserves dropping, and key export sectors forecasting downturns. When queried by the Ambassador, the two Ministers conceded that Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserve was down to two months of imports. Amunugama said that while garments, remittances, tea, and taxes on fuel continued to prop the economy, the dwindling reserve "will be a big problem" as the GSL relies on these funds to finance necessary infrastructure projects. Peiris acknowleged that the GSL may lose EC GSP+ concessions next year, causing additional balance of payment concerns when businesses look to buy from cheaper suppliers in other countries. He argued, however, that Sri Lanka is not at the point to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF); the government plans instead to work with donor countries Japan, China, and Iran to ensure that the construction of their projects remains on track, perhaps through the provision of additional loans to Sri Lanka by these countries. To illustrate, COLOMBO 00001063 002 OF 004 Amunugama said he is confident that the Iranians would continue its projects in Sri Lanka as they were relatively small and cheap. ¶5. (U) In light of the government's 2009 budget proposal, presented in early November, the Ambassador queried Ministers Amunugama and Peiris on the government's plans to raise current and add new taxes on imports. In response, both ministers defended the government's import substitution strategy as a way to encourage local production in order to bolster the Sri Lankan rupee. Peiris acknowledged that some proposed taxes in the budget, such as the new National Building Tax, still need to be legislated by Parliament. He noted that the tariff and export clusters of the National Economic Development Council will meet to discuss the budget's taxation plans and settle any discrepancies since the "multiplicity of levies was a problem that the government needed to address." TIFA Follow-Up -------------- ¶6. (U) AUSTR Delaney, through various meeting with GSL TIFA-counterpart Minister Peiris, noted a strong U.S. commitment to ensuring robust and meaningful TIFA talks with Sri Lanka. Placing a special emphasis on agricultural issues (Note: The GSL did not send an AG representative to the May 2008 TIFA talks in Washington), AUSTR Delaney and the Ambassador highlighted Ambassador Blake's most recent October 27 letter requesting the Minister's assistance to reduce overall charges on agricultural imports from the U.S., as they are currently not in line with the GSL's WTO commitments. Peiris noted that he and his colleagues have reviewed the information provided by the U.S. and promised to follow up with the Ministry of Finance to argue that the GSL needs to abide by its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. In discussing WTO negotiations, Peiris highlighted the GSL's concerns on the preference erosion in the Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) text, and its 2007 proposal requesting early implementation of tariff cuts in the U.S. market. AUSTR Delaney explained the U.S. position on the NAMA text, but noted that the issue was still under discussion. ¶7. (U) Responding to other TIFA Agriculture issues raised by the U.S. delegation, Peiris said that Sri Lanka's ban on poultry imports due to low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was "almost resolved" with the ban restricted to only two states. He also stated that Sri Lanka is now allowing imports of American seed potatoes. (Note: Although technically correct, USDA continues to work with the GSL to stop unnecessary additional requirements the GSL has placed on the importation of seed potatoes.) ¶8. (U) On November 14, AUSTR Delaney met with representatives from the Ministry of Environment (MOE) to discuss the government's genetically modified (GM) food regulations. The representatives reconfirmed that Sri Lanka has adopted GM labeling requirements and imposed controls on the importation of GM foods. Prior to importation, relevant authorities must approve all applications to import GM foods. Nevertheless, due to a lack of capacity at the regulator level, officials admitted that implementation of the controls is not uniform and it has caused uncertainty among importers. Officials noted the GSL needs to also work to create more public awareness about the benefits of GM food. MOE asked AUSTR Delaney for U.S. assistance to establish the laboratories and other facilities needed to test GM. AUSTR Delaney suggested bringing regional or international speakers to Colombo to highlight positive developments that can be achieved through the use of GM products. ¶9. (SBU) (Comment: GM regulations and policy is split between three agencies: the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment. Interagency cooperation between these agencies is very poor, leading to miscommunication and misunderstanding on GM issues. Post, in discussions with USDA, is looking at ways to reach out and promote increased understanding of, and support for, GM products among these three key ministries as well as within the general population.) Businesses Face Increased Taxes -------------- COLOMBO 00001063 003 OF 004 ¶10. (SBU) On November 14, AUSTR Delaney met with American Chamber of Commerce members representing Chevron, CitiBank, MAS Holdings (local apparel company),Virtusa, and Microsoft. The representatives told AUSTR Delaney the general business environment in Colombo is "okay," in light of the global economic downturn and the local security situation. They are fairly optimistic that Sri Lanka will ride out the international turbulence. However, they highlighted that one of the biggest challenges in operating in Sri Lanka is the increase in government policies favoring local businesses. Though many multinational companies perform better than the local private sector, international MNCs and SMEs feel the government is blatantly biased towards local companies. In the 2009 budget draft, profitable sectors are heavily taxed, while the government adopted import substitution and introduced new non-tariff barriers to protect local industries. Companies claim the government is actively creating a misperception that multinationals "have an easy life" and contribute little for the country. Sri Lanka is becoming a highly nationalistic environment where the government blames the foreigner for its economic and social ills. This is happening at all levels of government and is a serious concern. As an example, the Citibank representative observed that a once prudent regulator is transforming into a more political one. ¶11. (SBU) The private sector representatives asked AUSTR Delaney to assist the government in creating a legislative and regulatory framework that was equitable to local and foreign investors. They also encouraged USTR to assist the government in providing enforcement training to protect the country's intellectual property rights (IPR). According to the Microsoft representative, the country needs more information technology (IT) enablers at the policy level who are responsible for articulating the value of IPR protection to the local industry and the rest of the government. Although new government procurements contain IPR requirements and that the new budget draft has a provision to protect the IPR of local singers and artists, the fact that illegal software is pervasive within the government sector underscores that IPR protection is not a priority. Visit to the East -- The Pros and Cons -------------- ¶12. (U) On November 13, AUSTR Delaney travelled to Trincomalee, an eastern seaboard town that serves as the capital of the Eastern Province (EP),to assess business challenges and opportunities in the East. (The GSL liberated the East in July 2007 from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),a USG-designated foreign terrorist organization.) Challenges are significant and include a lack of adequate infrastructure, including dilapidated roads and water works, questions about adequate supply of electricity, high transport costs to the commercial port in Colombo, and security concerns. On the latter, private companies lack confidence in the security situation and worry about the safety of their investment and people. Eastern officials demonstrated only minimal care for business concerns, stating that although large security gaps remain, the East remains a "conflict emerging society" and, as such, businesses should not expect a completely trouble-free environment. Local businesses, as highlighted to AUSTR Delaney by the Trincomalee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored their difficulty in maintaining their companies, and/or expanding, due to a lack of financing. Entrepreneurs have had little access to financing as banks are reluctant to lend money for investments that could fail if the security situation again declines. In addition, most people do not have the collateral required to borrow as they have defaulted in the past due to the conflict and displacement. The Chamber noted that there are no development finance institutions which can give loans at a low interest rate to those needing a fresh start. 13.(U) Promoting the opportunities to investment in the East, the Governor of the Eastern Province Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, Trincomalee Government Authority (GA) Major General TT RD Silva, and officials of the Trincomalee Ports Authority, highlighted GSL's 697 square kilometer Trincomalee special economic zone (SEZ),which was established to attract foreign investors to set-up a mix of light and heavy manufacturing, port-related activities, a power plant, agriculture and fish processing industries, and tourism attractions. COLOMBO 00001063 004 OF 004 To date, only one factory is under construction in the SEZ. The government also hopes to establish a 1,200 acre Export Processing Zone (EPZ) within the SEZ; however, it does not have the funding to undertake the building of basic, needed infrastructure. The Ministry of Industries has also been allocated 50 acres of land for the development of an industrial processing zone (IPZ) for local industries; to date three projects (rubber processing plant, ice plant, and cement block making plant) have been approved for the IPZ; construction has yet to begin. The government is offering generous tax holidays to attract investors to the east. Peiris specifically identified agriculture processing, rice mills, animal feed mills, dairy farms, milk processing centers, fisheries, fish processing and packaging for exports, sugar, and tourism as industries the government hopes to attract to the East. ¶14. (U) The Trincomalee interlocutors agreed that one of the key lynchpins to developing the east is to get public and private sectors working together. In this vein, chamber officials commended the USAID programs, notably the establishment of a business college. Trincomalee interlocutors, as well as Peiris discussed how land fragmentation of crops hindered development of the agricultural industry and that the government was planning ventures, such as the establishment of agri-export zones, to consolidate land and bring SME's together to ultimately protect local manufacturers of imported products and channel income into the development of rural areas. Rajapaksa Meeting -------------- ¶15. (U) On November 14, AUSTR Delaney and Ambassador Blake met MP and Presidential Advisor, Basil Rajapaksa. AUSTR Delaney thanked Rajapaksa for his assistance in arranging the visit to the East, stating he recognized the huge economic potential in the area but also the considerable security risks at present to business. He affirmed that the USG, including USTR, would like to help Sri Lanka's efforts to develop the East and that he will discuss with Ambassador Blake and the GSL about the possibility of using the TIFA to bring the private sector, USAID, IFIs and other stake holders together to help the East. Rajapaksa thanked the U.S. delegation for its assistance in the East so far and agreed that without economic development, stability cannot be sustainable. He lamented that the GSL has not been able to reach its economic targets in the area, citing the difficulty in encouraging the private sector to establish operations. ¶16. (U) AUSTR Delaney has cleared this cable. BLAKE