Brussels, 07/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 6 July, DG International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission published a study carried out by the eminent economist of the Katholiek Universiteit of Leuven, Johannes Van Biesebroeck, and the consultancy institute Copenhagen Economics, assessing the economic benefits generated by the preferential schemes of the EU in place with the developing countries (documents available at the following addresses: http://goo.gl/fFErtM and http://goo.gl/J5OWg8 ).
The study shows that the trade policy of the EU has had a positive impact on the coherence of policies in favour of development, the Commission stresses, in an information note (a summary of key conclusions of the study is available at: http://goo.gl/LBi0j0 ).
By using advanced econometric techniques and large databases, the study leaves absolutely no doubt that the trade preferences granted by the EU to the developing countries through the generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) has significantly increased the exports and economic diversification of the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries (LDC), the European Executive stresses.
Another interesting finding of the study is that the full effect of the preferences on exports does not come into play until two years after the preferences have been granted.
Lastly, the study shows that exports of the developing countries have, to an extent, had a measurable positive impact on reducing poverty in these countries. (Emmanuel Hagry)