USTR Reviews Whether Maldives Should be Reinstated as a GSP- Eligible Country
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing the initiation of a review to consider re-designating the Republic of Maldives as a beneficiary developing country (BDC) under the Generalized System of Preferences program and soliciting public comments on whether Maldives meets certain eligibility criteria for such a designation.
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Comments are due by October 16, 2009.
USTR Suspended Maldives from GSP Eligibility in 1995
Maldives was suspended from GSP eligibility in 1995 (as part of the 1993 GSP Annual Review) after it was determined that Maldives had not taken and was not taking steps to afford internationally recognized worker rights to workers in Maldives.
President Must Consider Certain Criteria in Determining GSP Designation
The USTR states that in determining whether to designate any country as a GSP BDC, 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 16, 2009
USTR contact - Tameka Cooper (202) 395-6971
USTR notice (FR Pub 09/18/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22525.pdf.