Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2018-2019

Summary:

Joint Report published by the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy on 10 February 2020, which together with related staff working documents provides an assessment of the performance of nine beneficiaries of the GSP+ arrangement and of three beneficiaries of the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement under enhanced engagement.

Further information:

Through its Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), the European Union (EU) unilaterally supports developing countries to achieve sustainable development through trade. Trade preferences promote universal values of human rights, core labour standards, environmental protection and good governance.

This third biennial report on GSP is accompanied by the following ten Joint Staff Working Documents (SWDs):

• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Bolivia covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Armenia covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Cabo Verde covering the period 2018-2019
• Report on EU Enhanced Engagement with three Everything But Arms beneficiary countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia and Myanmar
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of the Kyrgyz Republic covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Paraguay covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Pakistan covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Mongolia covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of the Philippines covering the period 2018-2019
• The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Sri Lanka covering the period 2018-2019

These Documemts provide the assessment of the performance of nine beneficiaries of the GSP+ arrangement and of three beneficiaries of the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement under enhanced engagement.

The overall report specifically covers:

• The extent to which beneficiary countries take advantage of the scheme;
• A number of overarching themes, including death penalty, civil society space, child labour and environment;
• Partnerships: examples of how the EU works with partners to make GSP more effective.

The report is based on EU monitoring missions, the midterm evaluation of GSP, EU engagement with partner countries (including human rights dialogues), international organisations, civil society and industry. A dedicated civil society dialogue took place on 16 July 2019.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 10/02/2020: Trade preferences boost developing countries' exports to the European Union https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_136

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