Washington: United States President George W Bush has signed a proclamation adding Afghanistan to a list of developing nations getting preferential treatment on exports to the US.

The proclamation, signed on January 10, terms Afghanistan a "least developed beneficiary" under the generalised system of preferences (GSP), eliminating tariffs on approximately 5,700 Afghan products imported into the United States.

"This GSP designation marks an important step in Afghanistan's return to the world trading system," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said on January 13.

"Increased trade opportunities for trade will help Afghanistan build an economy that can offer its citizens a more prosperous future," Fleischer said.

Under the GSP, certain products from 140 countries and territories get duty-free treatment.

PTI