Proposals of the Finance Ministry concerning the customs tariff for 2002 were recently approved by the Cabinet. It was decided that at present the customs tariff not to be reduced on sensitive products used for the production of domestic raw materials such as ice cream and wines, but their tariff status to be reviewed within 2002.

The existing customs tariff to be retained for products lower than those of the EU common tariff. Concerning products for the production of which non-domestic raw materials are used such as sweets, gum, chocolates, biscuits, certain bakery products and pumps, it was decided that their tariff be reduced in three stages by 30% of the difference on existing tariffs and by 40% upon accession. The maximum import tariff on confectionery products and chocolates to be reduced by 10% on the 1 January 2002 and by 10% on 1 January 2003. Further, the maximum tariff for bakery products to be reduced by 5% in January 2002 and by 5% in January 2002. “Specific” duty to be reduced by 30% in January 2002, by 30% in January 2002 whilst the remaining 40% to be abolished upon accession.