A new tool to support trade and investment between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries was launched during the Eastern Partnership Summit.
"The Eastern Partnership Trade Helpdesk will help open new market opportunities for importers and exporters in the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries.
This platform will assist companies to identify new opportunities, potential partners and check necessary requirements and procedures.
The new platform is a crucial element of the Commission’s efforts to help small businesses trade more, as it will provide them with tailored advice from a network of trade experts and business support organisations", the EU says.
It complements the Access to Markets database, which empowers European companies to benefit from trade agreements to the fullest by breaking down complex trade rules into practical, tailored information.
Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said that the Eastern Partnership Trade Helpdesk will help to strengthen trade ties with this important region.
„The region as a whole is one of the EU's top 10 trading partners, and the EU is by far their biggest trading partner, accounting for almost one-third of all their trade. This initiative will further open opportunities for EU companies, notably SMEs, and will also contribute more broadly to strengthening trade and investment with Eastern Partnership countries“.
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi mentioned that this platform is a practical way to provide help and support recovery, Resilience and Reform, "our priorities for the Eastern Partnership region“.
„Through our Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership, we are aiming to increase economic ties between the EU and the region and make it easier for SMEs to engage in trade with the EU. This platform is a practical way to provide help and support Recovery, Resilience and Reform, our priorities for the Eastern Partnership region.”
The helpdesk has been developed as a collaboration between the EU4Business Eastern Partnership Trade Helpdesk project, funded by the European Union, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) as implementing partner.
The Eastern Partnership Trade Helpdesk is built around three principles:
1. Identify Opportunities: helping users to identify the most promising markets and products to trade in the region and with the EU. By comparing trade performance and potential trade in the region and with the EU, by market and by sector, users can confirm their business decisions.
2. Market Information: providing users with an overview of the market access conditions they need to comply with to trade their products to the identified market, as well as connect them with relevant partners in their country or the destination market.
3. Help Centre: guiding users to make the most of the platform, find additional resources, and contact relevant local agencies to answer their potential questions.
