USA extends customs advantages for Czech Republic until 2006

The United States has extended customs advantages for Czech exporters by the end of 2006. However, the Czech Republic will automatically be excluded from the Generalised System of Preferences GSP list after its accession to the European Union. The Czech government's agency for support of exporters, CzechTrade, said the program concerns around half of Czech exports and represents a total saving of 30 million USD, which adds to the attractiveness of imports of Czech goods. CzechTrade representatives said the lowered customs tariffs enable Czech exporters to face tough competition on the American market and especially imports from Southeast Asia in traditional items of consumer goods as well as a number of engineering products.