Press Release: Trade preferences: Commission proposes to roll over current EU regime for developing countries

Under a proposal presented by the European Commission on 29 October 2003, the European Union's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) will be maintained in its current form for another year after its expiry on 31 December 2004.

Furthermore, in an overhaul of a key part of the GSP, graduation, by which preferences for individual products can be taken out of the programme, would only take place for the larger beneficiaries whereas smaller developing countries would maintain intact their preferences. It is also proposed to make trade preferences given to countries engaged in the respect of core labour standards easier to use. The EU's Council of Ministers will consider this proposal for adoption before the end of 2003.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/trade/issues/global/gsp/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/trade/issues/global/gsp/index_en.htm

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