The EU should reinstate Myanmar's duty and quota free access
to the EU market, said the EP's international trade committee on
Thursday, in support of the Commission's proposal to support Myanmar in
its reforms, in particular its efforts to eradicate forced labour.
The reinstatement of trade preferences, backed by the
trade committee by 28 votes to 2, with no abstentions, but yet to be
adopted by the full House and approved by member states, will give
Myanmar duty and quota free access to the EU market for all its exports
except arms and ammunition. This could help raise Myanmar's exports by
30%, estimates the European Commission.
Myanmar is eligible for free market access under the
EU's Generalized System for Preferences (GSP) for least-developed
countries but since 1997 the EU has been withholding these benefits
because of reports of the "routine and widespread practice of forced
labour". The proposal to reinstate preferences follows reports that the
use of forced labour in Myanmar has ceased to be "serious and
systematic".
Remaining forced labour is responsibility of EU firms
While trade MEPs share the Commission's view that the
legal requirements are met for the GSP preferences to be reinstated, the
rapporteur, David Martin (S&D, UK), highlights the fact that forced
labour is still a concern in some states, particularly in the military
sector.
"Progress in Burma remains fragile and it is important
that the proposed measures will contribute to a sustainable peace and a
positive development," he stressed ahead of the vote. To emphasise these
concerns, trade MEPs are drafting a separate resolution asking the
Commission to monitor developments with respect to forced labour and to
stress the responsibility of European businesses operating in the
country.
"It is vital that European businesses apply strict
corporate social responsibility measures to their operations in Burma
and that there is a high level of transparency and reporting, in order
to encourage best practice amongst investors moving into Burma," Mr
Martin stressed.
What next?
The full House will vote on the reinstatement of trade
preferences for Myanmar in May (tbc). Formal approval by the Council
will then be required. After that the regulation will enter into force
retroactively, as from July 2012 when the ILO lifted restrictions on
cooperation with Myanmar/Burma.
source: European Parliament/News
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20130318IPR06674/html/Trade-MEPs-recommend-restoring-Myanmar%27s-free-access-to-the-EU-market
No comments:
Post a Comment