Guatemala, December 1, 2015. Today, the trade pillar of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union -ADA- celebrates two years of being in force between the two regions. For Guatemala, it represents benefits in buying and selling goods and services in a market of 28 countries in the old continent, which until 2014 were, as a bloc, its third largest trading partner in exports and for imports its fifth.
The Minister of Economy, Jorge Mendez Herbruger, explained that "this year we witnessed a boost in exports to the European Union, because up until June 2015 a growth of 25.7% was registered compared to the same month in 2014 (US $360.6 million) and a 27.5% increase compared to June 2013 (US $355.6), before the trade pillar of the ADA came into effect. "
The Council of the European Union has approved Guatemala's application to the trade pillar of the Association Agreement with Central America.
From a press release by the Government of Panama:
The Council of the European Union met today at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and confirmed the implementation of the Trade pillar of the Association Agreement between this institution and Guatemala starting December 1st.
The trade agreement between Guatemala and the European Union will enter into force provisionally on 1 December, authorities announced.
An article in Reuters reports that "Guatemalan exporters today welcomed the entry into force, on 1 December, of the trade pillar of the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU), a region with whom the country hopes to double product sales within five years."
Given the uncertainty about the date of entry into force of the Association Agreement with the EU, the country is seeking to ensure the validity of the Generalized System of Preferences.
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP Plus) expires on December 31, 2013 for which reason the country has asked for a two year extension.
In late June the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union will be signed in Tegucigalpa, containing a section on trade which will take effect as soon as it is ratified by one of the governments of the region.
The final flourish of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (EU) - which consists of three pillars: economic, political and cooperation, is scheduled for between 28th and 29th June in Tegucigalpa, during a summit of Central American presidents.
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