On July 24-27, 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Law Development Program, in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and Sri Lanka Customs held three capacity building events and consultations on key trade facilitation reforms that will make a difference for Sri Lankan businesses. Earlier this year, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) entered into force.  This cooperation program is one of the first to be held between the United States and Sri Lanka under the agreement.

The week-long program featured trainings and expert exchanges on international best practices for Advance Rulings and Origin Determinations.  Sri Lanka Customs will soon advance reforms to create a system of Advance Rulings, and to create a Committee on Origin.  This is the fifth such program designed by CLDP in cooperation with Sri Lanka Customs  to help Sri Lanka meet its commitments under the WTO TFA.

As a result of this multi-phase cooperation program with CLDP, H.M.S Premarathna, Director of Customs, Sri Lanka Customs, announced the organization's intent to make key reforms and institutional changes to facilitate trade.:  "Sri Lanka Customs Administration has realized the importance of issuing rulings on Classification, Rules of Origin and Valuation. The Rulings will help businesses by expediting the release of their consignments.  There is a big cost-savings with this procedure.  Sri Lanka Customs Administration has also decided to establish a Rules of Origin unit in the Specialized and Services directorate, where Rulings are issued on classification.  Determinations on Origin will help Sri Lanka implement and realize the benefits of trade agreements with other countries."

CLDP’s Sri Lanka program is funded by the Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. CLDP provides technical assistance to the Government of Sri Lanka as it strives to create an environment conducive to increased trade and investment.