ARMENIA PLANS TRANSITION TO GSP+ FROM JAN 1, 2009

ARKA
Dec 22, 2008

YEREVAN, December 22. /ARKA/. Armenia has been entered in a list of
countries that will enjoy GSP+ (Generalized System of Preferences)
from January 1, 2009, to the end of 2011. The EU-provided GSP+ is
intended for stable development and efficient management.

The press service of the RA Ministry of Economy reports that GSP+
beneficiaries must also have ratified and effectively implemented 27
specified international conventions in the fields of human rights,
core labour standards, sustainable development and good governance.

GSP+ allows the countries to export about 6,400 product items to the
EU at reduced tariffs or with exemption from customs duties.

Specifically, the customs duties on cigarettes are to be reduced by
52%, on natural juices by 30%, on fruits by 20%, on vegetables by 14%,
on fish products by 20% and on honey by 17%.

Armenia started seeking GSP+ in 2007. GSP is currently in effect
between Armenia and the European Union (EU), which allows Armenia to
export its products to the European markets at reduced tariffs.

Last year the trade turnover by the GSP+ totaled â~B¬74.7bln. The
exporters paid â~B¬357mlbn less as customs duties than during the
GSP regime.

–Boundary_(ID_Arp+ealxEQdWHK4fDWDg+A)–