The European Commission has presented to the European Parliament its regular report on the openness of the European market to imports from developing countries.

The report details the EU’s efforts to use its trade policy to advance a pro-development agenda, analysing the data on trade flows up to the end of 2006. It shows that the EU continues to offer market access for developing country exports that is unmatched by any other major economy.

The report notes that EU imports from developing countries increased by 16% between 2005 and 2006 and by 14% if China is excluded. In 2006, almost 70% of imports from developing countries (98% from ACP countries) entered the EU at a zero tariff rate. The biggest increases in imports from the least developed countries (LDCs) were in textiles, which grew by 12.3% from 2005-6 and agricultural products, which grew by just under 12% in the same period.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson commented: "This report demonstrates the EU commitment to putting trade at the service of development not only in theory, but in practice. ... The EU is active on many fronts to ensure that all Developing Countries have greater opportunity to share in the benefits of trade with the world's largest Single Market. Our goal remains a trade policy that promotes development and provides greater opportunities to developing countries in support of their own individual development priorities".

Sources:

• European Commission