Ethiopia to benefit from UK’s new trading scheme for developing countries

Addis Ababa, June 19, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia will benefit from UK’s new post-Brexit trading scheme for developing countries that entered into force as of today (19 June).

It is noted that the UK’s new post-Brexit Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) covers 65 countries that are home to over 3.3 billion people, and over half are in Africa. It removes or reduces tariffs and simplifies trading rules so that more products qualify for the scheme, making it more generous than the EU scheme the UK was previously a member of.

It will benefit developing countries looking to diversify and increase exports, driving their prosperity and reducing their need for aid.

UK’s Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston launched the scheme while on a visit to Ethiopia’s largest industrial business park, Bole Lemi.

Ethiopia, which already has a trading relationship with the UK worth £838 million, pays zero tariffs on 100% of goods exported to the UK, it is learned.

Under the new scheme, Ethiopia and 46 other countries will be able to produce goods using components from many more countries, growing their opportunities to trade with the UK.

During the unveiling event in Addis Ababa today, Industrial Parks Development Corporation of Ethiopia (IPDC) CEO Aklilu Tadesse said that the corporation has been searching for market options in cooperation with other stakeholders to address the market problems faced by investors working in industrial parks in connection with the cancellation of AGOA.

Mr. Aklilu added that, although it is not the corporation’s responsibility to find a market for investors working in industrial parks, this opportunity is a demonstration of the results of the work done to facilitate a comfortable environment for investors and to continue the country’s development, and also to get other market destinations which are in the process.

Speaking at the park, Minister Huddleston said: “This scheme is a brilliant example of the UK taking advantage of its status as an independent trading nation and I am excited to see it implemented today.

It will create opportunities for businesses around the world, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs and diversifying local and international supply chains. It will also benefit UK businesses and consumers by lowering import costs on a whole range of products.”

UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said: “The UK’s new trading scheme for 65 developing countries, DCTS, shows how we can use trade to deliver development.

It will benefit traders around the world, including small and women-owned businesses which we are supporting through UK Trade Partnership programme.”

While in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city and home to many international corporations, Minister Huddleston will meet with UK and Ethiopian companies to discuss how they will benefit from the DCTS and new ways they can work with local businesses and other governments to grow trade.

It is noted that the scheme benefits businesses all over the world and British companies that trade with these countries in everyday products such as bicycles and camping gear.

Executive Vice President at Specialized Bicycle Components Inc, Robert Margevicius, said: “The DCTS enables us to maintain our supply chains in countries like Cambodia and continue to incorporate components from around the region, including from Vietnam.

We are committed to supporting our workforce and maintaining quality. We manufacture high-value frames in Cambodia and Specialized uses preference scheme benefits to invest in this higher level of production.”

Head of International Logistics and Trade Compliance at Halfords, Ben Price, said: “The revised rules of origin under the Developing Country Trading Scheme will be hugely beneficial for Least Developed Countries and companies who are sourcing products from them. Under the previous regime many articles were precluded from benefitting from 0% duties due to the complexity of the rules of origin.”

“The further liberalisation and rule options that have been introduced under the DCTS are incredibly helpful and will support business and economic growth in some of the poorest countries. A great example of this is camping equipment, such as tents, from >developing countries in Southeast Asia.”

It is said that DCTS covers 37 countries in Africa, 26 in Asia/Oceania/Middle East and 2 in the Americas, representing varied and exciting trade opportunities around the world. However, the scheme was announced last year, and legislation has since been finalised to bring it into force.

The UK imported an average of £22.8 billion worth of goods from DCTS countries over the last three years, it is indicated.

When combined with the UK’s network of 8 Economic Partnership Agreements, the DCTS means over 90 developing countries now benefit from duty-free or nearly duty-free trade.

It is confirmed that customs processes will remain the same as under current preferential trading arrangements but new tariffs and rules of origin for Least Developed Countries will apply.