ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday issued directives for taking measures to further strengthen Pakistan-EU trade partnership.
In a meeting held in Islamabad to review the impact of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus regime on Pakistan’s trade, the prime minister also directed that all stakeholders including Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others should work together in resolving issues in a way to secure greater access for the Pakistani products in the international markets.
The meeting while reviewing the overall impact of GSP Plus regime expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory in trade volume which recorded an increase of 38.55 percent since 2013.
The meeting was informed that the GSP Plus facility has enhanced eligibility of Pakistani products for duty free access on additional 66 percent EU’s tariff lines and provided level playing field to our goods vis-à-vis similar products from competitors who have very liberal arrangements with the EU.
It was informed that various measures taken by the government including setting up of a Treaty Implementation Cell, establishment of Independent National Commission on Human Rights, activation of Commissions on Women as well as Children Rights and several legislations passed by the federal and provincial assemblies have contributed significantly in improving country’s image internationally.
The meeting also reviewed the preparations for 2nd biennial review of the facility which would be held in January 2018.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail and senior officials attended the meeting.
