## Sri Lanka: Selected Issues

_IMF Staff Country Reports, June 20, 2018_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Sri Lanka: Selected Issues](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/06/19/sri-lanka-selected-issues-45998)

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- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/06/19/sri-lanka-selected-issues-45998/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/06/19/sri-lanka-selected-issues-45998/index.json)
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## Bibliographic details
- Published: June 20, 2018
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484362358.002

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### Summary and strategic objective
- The government aims to achieve upper middle-income country status in 2025 by transforming Sri Lanka into an Indian Ocean Hub for trade, investment, and services.
- The paper emphasizes that stable and transparent regulatory systems would make Sri Lanka’s business environment more attractive for long-term investment and support trade integration.
- Ongoing open consultative processes on reform strategies can help build public consensus in support of the transformation objectives.

### Trade policy and regulatory reforms
- Reviewing trade barriers and developing a phased and sequenced strategy for gradual removal of restrictions is identified as a first necessary step toward enabling more competitive trade.
- The authorities’ decision to gradually rationalize para-tariffs and set up automated approval systems is described as a welcome step.
- Stable, transparent regulation is highlighted as key to attracting long-term investment and supporting trade integration.

### Policy recommendations and implementation measures
- Implement a phased and sequenced strategy for gradual removal of trade restrictions.
- Rationalize para-tariffs gradually.
- Establish automated approval systems for trade-related approvals to reduce opacity and delays.
- Maintain open consultative processes to build public consensus around reform strategies.

### Thematic coverage
- Subject areas listed: Credit, Environment, Fiscal policy, Fiscal rules, Gender, Gender inequality, Money, Natural disasters, Women.
- Keywords included: Africa, Caribbean, cash support, child care, CR, Credit, credit growth, disaster financing risk, East Asia, financing, Fiscal rules, Gender inequality, Global, government, ISCR, Natural disasters, rule, South Asia, Sri Lankan authorities, Women.

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## Content in this bundle

- **Country Report**
  - [Country Report (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2018/cr18176.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Country Report (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2018/cr18176.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/06/19/sri-lanka-selected-issues-45998_