潜在出口和非关税贸易壁垒：斯里兰卡国家研究（英文版）_227页_2mb

报告摘要

Summary of "Potential Exports and Nontariff Barriers to Trade" - Sri Lanka National Study

Core Content

This report, conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2019, focuses on identifying potential exports from Sri Lanka to other South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) countries and analyzing nontariff barriers to trade (NTBs), particularly sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT), that hinder these exports. The study also provides recommendations for improving Sri Lanka's trade infrastructure and regulatory environment to enhance its export capacity.

Main Objectives

Identify potential export products from Sri Lanka to SASEC countries.
Assess the current SPS and TBT infrastructure in Sri Lanka.
Identify gaps in the SPS and TBT regulatory and institutional framework.
Provide prioritized recommendations for improving trade facilitation and export capacity.

Key Findings

Trade Patterns with SASEC Countries

Sri Lanka's total exports to SASEC countries increased from 6% to 8% between 2002 and 2015.
India is the most significant export market for Sri Lanka, with 83% of exports to SASEC countries going to India.
Imports from SASEC countries are 99% sourced from India, indicating a strong trade relationship with India.
Trade with Bhutan and Nepal is relatively low and negligible, attributed to nontariff barriers despite reduced tariffs under SAFTA and other agreements.

Export Potential and Nontariff Barriers

The study identified 100 potential export products for each SASEC country using a 6-digit HS classification.
Top HS chapters with the highest number of potential export products:
- Bangladesh: Electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85), machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84), paper and paper products (HS 48-49), plastic articles (HS 39)
- Bhutan: Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84), electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85), articles of iron or steel (HS 73-74), miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS 94)
- India: Electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85), prepared food (HS 16-23), apparel and clothing (HS 61-62), machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84)
- Maldives: Electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85), fish and crustaceans (HS 03), apparel and clothing (HS 61-62), machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84)
- Nepal: Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84), electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85), vehicle parts (HS 87), apparel and clothing (HS 61-62)
Unit price differentials were found to be not the main obstacle to exports, as import prices in SASEC countries were generally higher than Sri Lanka's export prices for the same products.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Gaps

SPS Gaps:
- Outdated and poorly designed legislation.
- No review or update of SPS laws for over 25 years.
- Weak coordination among regulatory authorities.
- Duplication of functions leading to inefficiencies in conformity assessment.
- Inadequate infrastructure, especially laboratory facilities.
- Lack of institutional and human capacity in regulatory bodies and SLSI.
TBT Gaps:
- Insufficient capacity of SLSI and MUSSD to meet demand for standard formulation and adoption.
- Lack of modern testing facilities and laboratories.
- Absence of excellence centers for specific product testing (e.g., electrical and electronic goods).
- Reliance on foreign laboratories due to inadequate domestic facilities.
- Calibration laboratories are not well-equipped for diverse testing needs.
- The Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) mark is not internationally recognized, affecting export competitiveness.

Comparative Analysis with Germany

Germany is used as a benchmark for international standards.
Bangladesh has fewer SPS and TBT measures than Sri Lanka, but more gaps than Bangladesh when compared to Germany.
Bhutan has fewer SPS and TBT measures than Sri Lanka, but more gaps compared to Germany.
India has more SPS and TBT measures than Sri Lanka, and more than Germany in most cases.
Maldives and Nepal both have more SPS and TBT measures than Sri Lanka, with Nepal having almost the same as Sri Lanka.

Key Recommendations

Legislative and Regulatory Reforms: Update and align SPS and TBT laws with international best practices.
Infrastructure Development: Improve laboratory facilities and testing capabilities.
Institutional Strengthening: Enhance coordination among regulatory bodies and build capacity for SPS and TBT compliance.
Procedural Improvements: Streamline export procedures and reduce administrative delays.
Standardization and Certification: Strengthen the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) to ensure compliance with international standards.
International Recognition: Work towards the international accreditation of the Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) mark.
Regional and Bilateral Cooperation: Promote SASEC-wide collaboration to harmonize SPS and TBT measures and reduce trade barriers.
India-Specific Measures: Address SPS and TBT measures in India that impact Sri Lankan exports, particularly in electrical machinery and equipment and prepared food.
Information and Data: Improve the availability and transparency of regulatory and technical information for exporters.
Capacity Building: Implement training and development programs for regulatory and technical staff to enhance compliance and efficiency.

Conclusion

The study highlights that nontariff barriers, particularly SPS and TBT measures, are the primary obstacles to increasing intra-SASEC trade for Sri Lanka. While tariffs have been reduced significantly due to regional trade agreements, SPS and TBT measures still impede trade. The report emphasizes the need for legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and infrastructure development to improve export competitiveness and market access. It also suggests that collaboration with regional partners and alignment with international standards are critical for enhancing trade facilitation and expanding export potential.