Sri Lanka, Nov. 9 -- The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday welcomed the Government's commitment to submit a fresh application for the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) under the bloc's new 10-year trade framework.

In a statement, the association said GSP+ was more than a tariff concession for Sri Lanka's apparel industry, helping exporters remain competitive in their largest market while supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers and their families.

"Continued access is vital to the industry and to the wider economy," the JAAF said.

The association also endorsed the Government's two-pronged strategy of pursuing continued GSP+ benefits under the revised framework while expl...