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USTR Reviews Whether Kosovo Should Become a GSP- Eligible Country

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing the initiation of a review to consider designating the Republic of Kosovo as a beneficiary developing country (BDC) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and soliciting public comments on whether Kosovo meets certain eligibility criteria for such a designation.

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The USTR has initiated this review in order to make a recommendation to the President as to whether Kosovo meets the eligibility criteria of the GSP statute. After considering the recommendation, the President is authorized to, and may, designate Kosovo as a BDC for purposes of the GSP program.

President Must Consider Certain Criteria in Determining GSP Designation

The USTR states that in determining whether to designate any country as a GSP beneficiary developing country, the President shall take into account certain criteria including (partial list):

The level of economic development of such country, including its per capita gross national product, the living standards of its inhabitants, and any other economic factors which the President deems appropriate;

The extent to which such country has assured the U.S. that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to the markets and basic commodity resources of such country and the extent to which such country has assured the U.S. that it will refrain from engaging in unreasonable export practices;

The extent to which such country is providing adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights; and

Whether or not such country has taken or is taking steps to afford to workers in that country (including any designated zone in that country) internationally recognized worker rights.

- comments are due by October 17, 2008

USTR contact - Regina Teeter (202) 395-6971

USTR notice (FR Pub 09/22/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22103.pdf