The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Mukhammedkaly Abylgaziev instructed to work out a detailed plan to increase the supply of Kyrgyz goods to Europe within the framework of GSP + status. The press service of the Cabinet reported.
The head of government noted that GSP + status opened up opportunities for unhindered exports of domestic products to the markets of the European countries. In addition, it helps to increase the investment attractiveness of the country through the expansion of preferential markets. Kyrgyzstan has sufficient potential for exports to the EU countries, primarily of agricultural products, as well as textile and felt products.
Mukhammedkaly Abylgaziev noted that only a small part of the whole advantage of the holder of GSP+ status was used.
The Minister of Economy Oleg Pankratov said that the status provided duty-free access for more than 6,000 commodity items. In 2016, the total exports (excluding gold) to the EU countries amounted to $72.3 million. But only 4.4 percent of the sum ($ 3.2 million) were cleared at a preferential tariff rate under the preferences of GSP + regime.
The main problems for domestic exporters are the technical barriers to obtaining supporting documents, the difficulty of finding partners in the European countries and the confirmation of the conformity of the domestic goods with EU quality requirements. In addition, the high competition in the EU market, as well as the high transport costs associated with the geographical location of our country, have their impact.
We must promote those goods that will differ from the other in the European market and will be of interest to potential buyers.
Mukhammedkaly Abylgaziev
The head of the government instructed the state bodies to develop a draft detailed plan of measures aimed at increasing the exports to the EU countries within the framework of the holder of GSP + status within two weeks.
