Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 02COLOMBO1740, SRI LANKA PREPARES FOR POST-QUOTA WORLD

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #02COLOMBO1740.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
02COLOMBO1740 2002-09-18 05:59 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Colombo
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001740 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR: EBRYAN 
DOC FOR JFERNANDEZ 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD KTEX EAID CE USTR ECONOMICS
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA PREPARES FOR POST-QUOTA WORLD 
 
Ref: (A) State 160692 (B) Colombo 671 
 
1.  Summary: Well aware of the potential impact of the 
expiration of the MFA on its number one export (apparel), 
Sri Lankan players are beginning to explore their options, 
ranging from special trade agreements with the US to 
strengthening the domestic industry and diversifying the 
export base. Post engaged major players in the garment 
industry as requested in ref A and learned that two 
important steps, a five-year strategy plan, and 
establishment of a government/business working group have 
been taken.  These actions prove that Sri Lanka is not ready 
to give up on its apparel industry yet.  Creative thinking 
on areas of engagement with the US, Sri Lanka's primary 
market, has begun.  End summary. 
 
------------------- 
TIFA NOW, FTA LATER 
------------------- 
 
2.  Sri Lanka is unique among garment producing countries in 
that it imports almost all fabric inputs (from Asian 
sources), with negligible domestic production.  Sri Lanka is 
thus in a good position to argue for a bilateral FTA with 
the U.S. based on a rule of origin on apparel, whereby 
apparel exports to the U.S. would be duty free only if they 
used U.S. fabric.  Such an agreement could provide major 
benefits to the U.S. textile industry, creating as much as 
$600 million in new exports a year (see ref B).  Sri Lanka 
intends to use the recently signed Trade and Investment 
Framework Agreement (TIFA) to make its case for an FTA.  In 
the interim, private business and government representatives 
have voiced a commitment to investigate the possibility of 
sourcing fabric from the US, hoping to win Section 809-like 
treatment that would exempt the fabric portion of any 
apparel exports from U.S. duty.  Government sources, 
including Secretary of Enterprise Development Ranjith 
Fernando, said this consideration is now a priority since 
the GSL realized a Free Trade Agreement with the US would 
take several years. 
 
3.  The GSL is hopeful that it will get a sympathetic 
hearing if it focuses on the benefits that would accrue to 
the shrinking US fabric-producing industry.  The possible 
reduction of the 10:1 trade imbalance with the US is 
recognized as another selling point.  The government will 
raise this issue with Deputy USTR Huntsman during his 
planned visit later this year.  It may also ask for benefits 
to be extended based on the industry's high labor standards. 
(Note: Though building domestic fabric mills is in the 
Strategic Plan, the broad manufacturing community has not 
endorsed this measure. End note.) 
 
4. Garment manufacturers have also begun a discussion on the 
competitiveness of US fabric, and suggested a catalog 
show/trade fair and or visits of US fabric manufacturers be 
organized to introduce American products to the Sri Lankan 
market.  The government, buyers and manufacturers are 
investigating the economics of using dedicated air shipments 
to reduce turnaround times.  The Amcham is contemplating its 
role in advocacy efforts. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
5-YEAR PLAN TO STRENGTHEN APPAREL INDUSTRY 
------------------------------------------ 
 
5. Stakeholders in the industry (producers, buyers, 
government ministries and customs) met earlier this year to 
design a survival strategy for 2005 and beyond.  The 
resulting five-year strategic plan has five major 
objectives: 1) increase apparel industry turnover from $2.3 
billion to $4.5 billion by 2007, 2) transform the industry 
from manufacturing to fully integrated service, 3) increase 
penetration of premium market segments, 4) excel 
internationally in certain product categories, and 5) 
consolidate and strengthen the industry.  It includes a 
framework, initiatives and implementation scheme. 
 
6.  Steps identified in the plan are designated for 
government, industry or firm level action. Government-level 
actions would help across the entire spectrum of industries, 
and are steps that should be taken in any case. These 
include EDI facilities at the ports, lobbyists in key 
markets, establishment of Chambers of Commerce, reform of 
labor laws and development of infrastructure.  Industry is 
tasked with improving marketing and competitive 
intelligence, while individual firms are encouraged to form 
strategic partnerships and invest in human resource 
management. 
 
--------------- 
DIVERSIFICATION 
--------------- 
 
7.  Sri Lanka's economy is heavily dependent on apparel 
exports, which together represent 15% of GDP.  USAID's 
Competitiveness Initiative (TCI) is working with eight 
"clusters," identified as Sri Lanka's highest potential 
export sectors, to diversify the country's export base.  The 
GSL has praised TCI, and has created its own seven clusters, 
modeled on USAID's.  These fifteen sectors (excluding 
garments) are expected to provide much of the economic 
growth in the future.  USAID is currently evaluating this 
initiative and others related to competitiveness for future 
funding.  Other efforts to diversify the country's economic 
base include a major international campaign to attract 
investment into a variety of fields.  Also, many company 
representatives who remember International Executive Service 
Corps's work here in the 1990s have welcomed the prospect of 
USAID's revival of this program to provide firm-level 
support.  Both government and business representatives 
appreciated learning about TDA and OPIC and said they would 
explore options for utilizing these programs. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
8.  GSL and industry welcomed Embassy efforts to focus 
attention on MFA expiration.  Post sees merit in the Sri 
Lankan proposal to use U.S. fabric inputs as the basis for a 
bilateral free-trade agreement.  Such an approach - with the 
prospect for significant new business for U.S. textile 
manufacturers - would fulfill the Textile Working Group's 
dual objectives of supporting the U.S. textile industry 
while minimizing the impact of 2005 on Sri Lanka.  In the 
meantime, Sri Lanka will welcome our continued assistance in 
diversifying its export base. 
 
Amselem