A delegation from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT) participated for the first time in the EU working group meeting in Brussels to discuss the implementation of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+). The meeting that took place on December 4-5, provided an opportunity for Uzbekistan to present its progress since attaining GSP+ beneficiary status in 2021, as reported by the MIIT press service.
Export Growth and Product Categories
Uzbekistan has achieved export growth under the GSP+ scheme, with exports to the European Union nearly tripling to $1.15bn. Over 1,100 product categories out of 6,200 eligible items are now being exported to the EU. These include agricultural, textile, electrical, and chemical products.
Proposals for Enhanced Cooperation
To further enhance export potential, Uzbekistan presented several proposals:
- Expanding Product Eligibility: Adding fresh fruit and vegetable products to the list of goods eligible for GSP+ benefits.
- Revising Export Quotas: Extending seasonal quotas to ensure more stable supplies of goods to the EU.
- Extending GSP+ Status: Prolonging the duty-free trade preferences for 10 years to support economic cooperation.
Additionally, Uzbekistan proposed revising import quotas for rolled metal products and requested technical support from the EU to help domestic products meet European standards.
Background on GSP+
Uzbekistan joined the GSP+ framework in April 2021, benefiting from tariff eliminations on over 6,200 products, including textiles, clothing, and plastics. Previously, under the standard GSP program, 3,000 goods were eligible for duty-free export, while 3,200 items received reduced tariff rates.
In November 2023, the EU extended Uzbekistan's GSP+ membership until 2027, enabling continued duty-free export of 6,200 goods. This has allowed domestic exporters to save approximately €28mn in customs fees.
Comments (0)