Tsunami trade measures - Green light for proposal to fast-track GSP changes

In the 133 Committee today Member States gave their support for a Commission proposal to fast track the reform of the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) which will improve access to the EU market for imports from - among others - Tsunami-hit countries.

The objective is to advance the entry into force of GSP reform from 1 July to April.

A formal Commission proposal still has to be adopted by the Council (CAGRE), after consultation with the European Parliament.

Under the new regime, Sri Lanka is due to benefit from duty free access to the EU for all its GSP products, including textiles. India, Indonesia and Thailand will benefit from improved market access conditions, in particular for fishery products.

In parallel, the Commission is assessing changes to the system of GSP rules of origin that will allow countries to take better advantage of GSP reform.

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• EU Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) (21/12/2005)
• EU Member States back new EU Generalised System of Preferences  (23/6/2005)
• GAERC - Council Conclusions on the earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean (31/1/2005)