Uzbekistan proposes prolonging EU's GSP+ for Uzbek goods, expanding trade preferences

TASHKENT. Dec 10 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan has asked the European Union to extend the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) for another ten years and broaden the list of duty-free exports, the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, industry and Trade said.

"Given its high export potential, Uzbekistan proposed expanding the list of goods eligible for the GSP+ preferences by adding fresh fruits and vegetables to is, as well as reconsidering the seasonal quotas on their export and extending the timeframe in order to ensure the sustainability of supplies and the competitiveness of this products on the EU market," the ministry said in a statement following an Uzbek delegation's participation in a meeting of the EU's GSP+ Working Group.

At the meeting in Brussels, the Uzbek ministry's representatives put forth a proposal to prolong GSP+ for another ten years in order to safeguard the achieved results and create conditions for the long-term strengthening of economic ties with the EU, it said.

The Uzbek delegation presented the results of the work accomplished within GSP+ since the country received beneficiary status in 2021. Over this period, Uzbek exports to the EU have almost tripled to $1.15 billion, and stable exports have been developed in 1,100 categories of goods out of the available 6,200, including agricultural products, textile, electrical engineering and chemical products.

During the visit, the Uzbek delegation also met with senior officials of the European Commission's trade and international cooperation directorates to discuss ways to improve conditions for Uzbek goods' access to the EU market, a revision of import quotas on rolled metal products and the EU's technical assistance to adapt Uzbek products to meet European standards.

GSP+, which extends the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preference, is a special trade arrangement aimed at facilitating sustainable development and reducing poverty in emerging economies by simplifying access for their goods to the EU market.