The European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Prospect of a Unified Database

Authors: Iasha Meskhia, Rusudan Seturidze

Abstract:

Free access for Georgian goods to the EU markets is one of the important factors for Georgia’s economic development, attraction of investments and raising the standard of living. The European Union is the most important trade partner for Georgia. Great experience has been accumulated with respect to removing trade barriers between Georgia and the European Union. Despite it, certain problems still persist.

In the present article, we have reviewed the systems of preferences with the European Union, the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the essence of ongoing reform; we have assessed weak and strong sides of relations established between the European Union and Georgia in this regard; analyzed Georgia’s export and import over the past years; also reviewed the prospect of a unified database; established existing and anticipated positive and negative factors. Based on the analysis, we have provided the relevant recommendations. 

Keywords: EU-Georgia trade, EU’s GSP reform, Georgia’s export-import, REX system.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1335754

References:

[1] Eastern Partnership and Socio-Economic Policy of Georgia, CIESR, CEPR, OSGF, Tbilisi, 2011, p.5,http://www.ciesr.org/files/eapengs.pdf
[2] Generalised System of Preferences http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/ customs/customs_duties/rules_origin/preferential/article_781_en.htm
[3] Highlights of the EU’s New General Scheme of Preferences (GSP), European Commission, octomber 2012, p.5 http://trade.ec.europa.eu/ doclib/docs/2012/november/tradoc_150088.pdf
[4] I. Meskhia, International trade, Tbilisi, 2012, pp.402-411
[5] I. Meskhia, R.seturidze, “The advantages and disadvantages of foreign trade of GEORGIA”, to be published
[6] National Statistics Office of Georgia, http://www.geostat.ge/ index.php?action=page&p_id=137&lang=eng