EN
31 July 2009 - 07:58 AMT

Vahe Danielyan: Armenia’s ambitions helped joining GSP+

Armenia’s ambitions helped it joining GSP+ system, according to Vahe Danielyan, RA Deputy Minister of Economy.

“Armenia has to monitor its legislative framework to confirm commitment to the EU criteria,” he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

He said the RA Ministry of Economy is presently negotiating joining the Free Trade Agreement.

“GSP+ is available for all Armenian companies. It’s just essential to understand that this system is an opportunity but not an obligation. I believe that our entrepreneurs will intensify activities and boost export volumes,” Danielyan said.

The European Union has granted preferential tariff rates to 16 developing countries that meet its criteria for sustainable development and good governance.

The preferences, dubbed GSP+, are in addition to the standard Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) the EU extends to developing countries. Under the standard GSP, preferential access to the EU market is provided to 176 developing countries and territories in the form of reduced tariffs on around 6400 goods when entering the EU market, with no expectation of reciprocal treatment.