Generalized tariff preferences GSP: exclusion of South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore

In view of the fact that the ESC had also called for priority to assisting particularly poor developing countries, it welcomes the exclusion of South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore from the GSP. The volume of aid released in this way should be allocated to poorer developing countries as soon as possible. However, the ESC draws attention to the absence of transnational provisions under Article 20 of Council Regulation 3281/94/EC respect of "goods afloat". The ESC welcomes the Commission proposal that the regional cumulation mechanism in respect of the origin of products should not be affected by the removal of states from the GSP; Singapore, in particular, participates in this mechanism within the framework of ASEAN. The ESC has noted with interest that the revised GSP has brought about higher levels of transparency and predictability, with a beneficial impact both as regards exporters and administrations in the developing countries and as regards EU importers. The ESC is concerned that the transparency and predictability of the whole scheme could be jeopardized and it asks the Commission to consider these aspects very carefully when deciding on the matter; it also urges the Commission to monitor the impact of these measures and to include the ESC amongst the recipients of its annual reports. �