EU and Montenegro strike trade deal

Europe's newest independent country has agreed to remove import duties on of a wide range of raw skins and hides, when they are exported from the European Union (EU). In a wide-ranging trade deal with the EU, Montenegro also agreed to scrap import duties on many lines of men's and women's shoes and boots containing leather. These duty concessions would come into force as soon as the agreement is formally approved. Under its terms, EU duties on Montenegrin exports of bird skins would enter the EU duty-free, also with immediate effect. And the EU and Montenegro have also agreed guidelines for determining the geographical origin of manufactured leather and leathergoods when setting out import duties. EU origin skins covered include those from cows, horses, sheep and lambs along with a range of fur skins. Montenegro is applying to join the EU, whereupon all trade with member states would be completely duty-free. EU leather clothes and luggage lines will also enter Montenegro duty-free.