Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - In order to further strengthen bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation with the countries of the European Union and improve the conditions for access of domestic goods to the European market, the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade is conducting systematic work to obtain Uzbekistan the status of the beneficiary country “General System of Preferences Plus” of the European Union (“GSP +”).

It should be noted that the inclusion of the republic in the list of beneficiary countries of “GSP +” will provide an opportunity to significantly increase the volume of export supplies to the EU and increase the competitiveness of domestic goods in the European market.

Uzbekistan currently uses the basic General System of Preferences (GSP), according to which the Republic can export about 3,000 goods to the EU countries without levying customs duties and 3,200 items at reduced rates.

If Uzbekistan receives unilateral tariff preferences under the “GSP +”, then the number of commodity items that Uzbek producers can export to EU countries will increase to 6200.

According to the requirements of the European side, in order to receive “GSP +” preferences, the country concerned must ensure that certain conditions are met, including ratifying and effectively implementing 27 international conventions, including 16 in the field of human rights and basic labor standards and 11 in the field of environmental protection environment and good governance.

Currently, the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, together with the relevant ministries and departments, has completed work to fulfill the above conditions, in particular:

- Accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to all 27 international conventions was ensured;

- detailed answers were prepared and sent to the questionnaire submitted by the EU bodies on assessing the implementation of the Republic of obligations undertaken under the ratified conventions;

- in the period from April to May of this year, a series of meetings was organized in the form of video conferences with EU officials and experts to discuss the assessment of the fulfillment of obligations undertaken under the above conventions.

As a result of the measures taken, the European side informed about the adoption on a preliminary basis of a positive conclusion on Uzbekistan’s compliance with the requirements established for obtaining the status of the beneficiary country of “GSP +”, and the possibility of the Uzbek side submitting an official application.

In this regard, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, in accordance with the requirements established by the regulations of the EU Commission, prepared and sent for consideration by the European Union a package of documents that include the official application of Uzbekistan to include the country in the European Union's system of preferences “GSP +”, information on the ratification of conventions and letter of commitment on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The acquisition by our country of the status of beneficiary of “GSP +” will create a solid foundation for sustainable growth and diversification of exports, which will also serve the dynamic development of mutually beneficial foreign economic relations with the countries of the European Union.