The European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic held an information meeting on doing business using the GSP+ (Generalised System of Preferences) scheme. The meeting held on June 9 in Bishkek aimed to help Kyrgyz exporters understand how to benefit from GSP+.

The meeting provided a unique opportunity for the business community and stakeholders to meet with experts from the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission.

Kyrgyz producers can now export more than 6,000 products to any of the 28 member countries of the European Union at zero tariffs using the GSP+. Duty free access includes agricultural products such as fruits, processed fruits (canned goods, juice), dried fruits and nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios), raw materials (beans, peas), food products, tobacco, textiles, felt products, clothing, carpets, etc.

Leading speakers Nikolaos Zaimis, Deputy Head of the Unit, and Daniel Kramer, Policy Adviser at the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission, and Guus Houttuin, Adviser of the European External Action Service addressed the participants on the key features and benefits of the GSP+ and the rights and obligations of GSP+ beneficiaries, and provided information on Rules of Origin requirements. A question and answer session allowed local exporters to explain their needs.

GSP+ is a component of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). It offers additional trade incentives to countries that already benefit from GSP and that have ratified and implemented core international conventions on human and labour rights, sustainable development and good governance. The EU Regulation granting GSP+ to Kyrgyzstan was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 26 January 2016, and came into effect on 27 January 2016.