EU Envoy calls Minister of Commerce

Federal Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that the Ministry of Commerce will coordinate with SMEDA and relevant provincial departments to bring the benefits of GSP Plus to small and medium enterprises so that the financial benefits of this scheme may be distributed evenly throughout Pakistan. The minister made these remarks while meeting with the Ambassador of European Union (EU) to Pakistan Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark who called on the Minister in Islamabad.

He said that traditional export items of Pakistan like textile, leather, footwear and plastics have registered positive growth but the government is planning to bring the fruits of GSP Plus to new and emerging sectors by developing them through value addition. The growth in trade in the traditional sectors suggests that the initially large investors have benefitted from the Generalized System of Preference granted by EU but the government wants to broaden the scope of benefit by improving the standards of small exporters and manufacturers to the standards required by the of EU member countries. 

To make the small and medium enterprises aware of the gains of GSP Plus, the Ministry of Commerce will launch seminars across the country in which private as well as public sector of the provinces will be invited. The Ministry will also hold sessions to make the people aware about the steps taken by the MoC and the Treaty Implementation Cell to bring in new legislations and upgrade the existing ones in federal and constituents units of Pakistan regarding the 27 conventions of EU on human rights.  The Minister said that ‘we should cease this opportunity with both hands and the private sector should also take ownership of these issues by playing their role in not only inculcating international best practices amongst processes but also play the role of a catalyst in the social and economic development of our country.’

Pakistan’s inclusion in the EU GSP Plus scheme offers immense benefits in terms of increase in exports. It is heartening to know that initially the trade analysts had estimated an overall growth of almost 15% in Pakistan’s exports to EU but the growth in exports during the first eight months since the implementation of GSP Plus has been around 18 %. Sectors like articles of leather, ethanol, fresh and processed fruits also have the potential to take advantage of the duty free access and record healthy growths. The MoC will hold publicity affairs in the new markets of Eastern Europe and Scandinavian countries in which Pakistani products as well as unique Pakistani cultural brands will be exhibited to promote softer image of Pakistan.

The EU Ambassador praised rise in trade due to GSP Plus and admired the Government’s efforts regarding the legislative work on human rights. He said that the EU will continue with its trade diversification program in Pakistan and will work closely with the Government of Pakistan to achieve sustainable development across the country.