EU generalized system of preferences to help Armenia enter European
markets
YEREVAN, March 10. /ARKA/. Joining the European Commission’s
generalized system of preferences (GSP+), Armenia will have ample
opportunities to Gagik Gabrielyan, main partner of GPartners (Grigoryan
and Partners) consulting firm, said Tuesday at a practical course for
local businessmen and exporters.
`GSP+ lays down certain conditions for emerging countries. For
instance, they have to implement key international conventions to be
granted preferences or get a quota and duty-free access to EU markets,’
Gabrielyan said.
According to the expert, the system aims at boosting and improving
market management in developing countries by granting them preferences
and exempting the partner states from duties.
Gabrielyan said it is impossible to say exactly how much Armenian
exporters will gain from GSP+.
`It is up to Armenian exporters and businessmen how they will make use
of the granted opportunities,’ he added.
In his turn, RA Deputy Minister of Economy Vahe Danielyan said
Armenia’s market is too small for local businesses to expand their
capacities.
`There is a need for entering foreign markets,’ he said, adding the CIS
and EU would be Armenia’s major trade partners.
The Tuesday practical course aimed at giving local businessmen some
useful tips on how to export goods to GSP+ countries.
On20January 1, 2009 Armenia joined the European Union’s Generalized
System of Preferences. GSP+ allows partner states to export more than
6,400 products without paying duties. `0-