[{"bbox": [83, 104, 1170, 213], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU focus on themes related to the European Green Deal and on European Investment Plan operations in Sri Lanka have been to a large extent limited in previous years. With small and fragmented EU interventions rarely underpinned by an effective sectoral policy dialogue and/or public diplomacy, the EU is not able to achieve its transformative ambitions in Sri Lanka. Policy advice is needed so as to being more fact and science based thinking into decision making."}, {"bbox": [83, 222, 1170, 358], "category": "Text", "text": "Under the MIP, since the EU intends to allocate more funding to leverage investment in key green infrastructure, support small and medium size enterprises that have the ambition to convert to more sustainable business practices (in terms of production, supply chains, jobs, ...) and engage more actively in other climate change actions and biodiversity protection with authorities and population, an enhanced EU green diplomacy and policy dialogue with the different public and private stakeholders will be essential to create the conditions for success and lasting change."}, {"bbox": [83, 368, 1170, 424], "category": "Text", "text": "Based on the Team Europe approach, the EU will set up a dedicated cross-sectoral Green Policy Dialogue Facility that will cover all the themes under Priority Area 1 of the MIP including the TEI for a green recovery."}, {"bbox": [83, 433, 1170, 595], "category": "Text", "text": "The Facility will support EU actors in engaging with the local authorities and the population on adjusting and adapting EU policies and more specifically the European Green Deal external dimensions to the local context (specific objective 1). Establishing a platform to exchange information and generate debate will be essential to present and promote EU green policies in the national context. The integration of sustainable policy measures will require not only evidence-based analysis (through academics who are very influential) and continuous dialogue, but as well economic incentives which will be provided through other interventions."}, {"bbox": [83, 604, 1170, 767], "category": "Text", "text": "The involvement of the private sector in the implementation of those policies will be essential and the Facility will accompany the transition towards a circular economy. Therefore, a strong engagement with the private sector and ease of doing business will be supported through the Facility (specific objective 2). Assessment of sector-wide business and investment bottlenecks, development of specific and targeted policy and regulatory measures, promotion of new technologies by supporting R&D and academics and design of financial incentives for businesses will all contribute to a more conducive environment for the implementation of overarching green policies."}, {"bbox": [83, 776, 1170, 1045], "category": "Text", "text": "The achievements of the overarching policy objectives in transitioning towards a circular economy, building more sustainable infrastructures providing basic human needs while protecting biodiversity will have to be financed and the mobilisation will require setting up the necessary specific financial incentives and instruments to redirect the investment from financial institutions and private actors toward greener, more sustainable and climate-resilient assets (specific objective 3). Conducting assessment on the financial existing conditions to identify the regulatory as well the financial gaps will help the EU in the design of future interventions. The Facility will help structure innovative financial operations with the support of the financial sectors. The contribution of the EFSD+ and other EU global initiatives should help the country to pilot (leverage) several riskier sustainable finance operations (such as green bonds). The facility would provide technical assistance to financial institutions as well relevant authorities to prepare the necessary framework and capacity to develop further those instruments."}, {"bbox": [1040, 1662, 1159, 1688], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 13 of 23"}]