In a major boost
to expand the trade relations between India and Sri Lanka, the
Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) has signed an agreement
with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). EIC would sign
similar type of agreements with other countries very soon.
This was indicated by Shri L.V.Saptharishi, Chairman, EIC and
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and
said that this agreement was a major development for increasing
the bilateral trade between the two countries. Shri Saptharishi
presented the signed documents of the Agreement to Mr. Mangala
Moonesinghe, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India here yesterday
evening. Shri M.V.P.C.Sastry, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce
& Industry and Mrs. Shashi Sareen, Director, EIC were present
in the function along with the representatives of trade &
industry.
Under this
agreement SLSI will recognise EIC’s export inspection and certification
for the purpose of its Import Inspection Scheme. It would provide
for reduced level of inspection of consignments on arrival paving
the way for easier access to Indian goods and facilitating exports
from India. The Agreement covers 84 commodities comprising
items like Milk products, Vegetable Oils, Confectioneries, Fruit
and Vegetable Products, Household Electrical Appliances, Cement
etc. Mrs. Sareen highlighted the benefits to Indian exporters
through this agreement which includes reduced level of inspection
and testing by Sri Lankan authorities and consequent reduction
in costs; minimal risk of rejection and elimination of costs of
reprocessing/recall/destruction; relief from hassles and cost
involved in consignment wise inspection ensuring timely shipment;
avoiding delays in customs clearance at Sri Lanka and providing
a forum for exporters for representing to SLSI in case of any
problems in exporting to Sri Lanka.
Shri Saptharishi
asked exporters to take advantage of this agreement and said that
this certification facility should be used extensively by the
exporters to satisfy the consumers. Under this Agreement both
EIC and SLSI will cooperate and communicate to the fullest practicable
extent their requirements that may be relevant to the other party.
Information will also be exchanged on any adverse findings in
Sri Lanka’s random verification including disposal of implicated
products and evidence of any falsification of EIC’s certification.
Earlier, EIC has signed similar agreements with Australia, European
Commission and USFDA. EIC is the official export inspection and
certification agency of India under the Ministry of Commerce &
Industry.
